Second BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting concludes in Varanasi

📌 Summary:

• The 2nd BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting concluded in Varanasi (Kashi) with renewed commitment to cultural cooperation
• Panel 1 covered institutional strategies for cultural heritage protection and return/restitution of cultural property
• Panel 2 explored joint nominations under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, Intangible Cultural Heritage and Memory of the World Programme
• Panel 3 examined culture as a driver of sustainable development in the post-2030 agenda, linking culture with social inclusion and environmental sustainability
• Members reaffirmed heritage protection as a shared responsibility; delegates witnessed Ganga Aarti and the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 IR — BRICS grouping and cultural diplomacy; GS1 — Indian culture and heritage

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Host city: Varanasi (Kashi)
• UNESCO programmes referenced: World Heritage Convention, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Memory of the World
• IGNCA = Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
• BRICS = Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (expanded grouping)

🔑 Key Term: Memory of the World Programme — UNESCO initiative to preserve and provide access to documentary heritage