Priorities and Possible Risks of the Brics Countries' Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation

AuthorV. Kiselev - E. Nechaeva
PositionInterdepartmental Analytical Center (Moscow, Russia) - Presidential Administration (Moscow, Russia)
Pages33-60
BRICS LAW JOURNAL Volume V (2018) Issue 4
PRIoRITIES anD PoSSIBLE RISKS oF THE BRICS CounTRIES’ CooPERaTIon
In SCIEnCE, TECHnoLoGY anD InnoVaTIon
VLADIMIR KISELEV,
Interdepartmental Analytical Center (Moscow, Russia)
ELENA NECHAEVA,
Presidential Administration (Moscow, Russia)
DOI: 10.21684/2412-2343-2018-5-4-33-60
The viewpoint of most countries towards participation in programs and projects of
international science and technology cooperation (ISTC) is based on the fact that
collaboration in research and development allows them to increase the eciency of
national research systems and accelerate the inow of new knowledge and technologies.
The BRICS countries share this viewpoint; however, their aspirations go further, extending
their concerns and expectations to cooperation in the sphere of innovation. BRICS – the
association of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – was established in June 2006
at the St. Petersburg economic forum (South Africa a participant since 2011). Its results
in establishing frameworks for cooperation in many sectors of their economies including
science, technology and innovation demonstrate an unusually rapid growth. The BRICS
countries’ cooperation in science, technology and innovation started in 2014; since then,
the ve countries have carried out important steps in bringing together their practical
approaches to science, technology and innovation cooperation.
This article is devoted to an analysis of the dynamics of the BRICS countries’ cooperation
in science, technology and innovation, and the possible risks and problems in the
organization and implementation of joint projects. The need to go further in elaborating
legal frameworks for international science, technology and innovation cooperation that
would support the transition of their cooperation activities from science and technology
to innovation is underlined.
Keywords: BRICS; science; technology; innovation; cooperation; risks; research
coordination.
BRICS LAW JOURNAL Volume V (2018) Issue 4 34
Recommended citation: Vladimir Kiselev & Elena Nechaeva, Priorities and Possible
Risks of the BRICS Countries’ Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation, 5(4)
BRICS Law Journal 33–60 (2018).
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Meaning and Purposes of International Cooperation in Science,
Technology and Innovation
2. Advancement of the BRICS Countries’ Cooperation in Science,
Technology and Innovation
3. Development of the BRICS STI Cooperation Areas
4. Specics of the BRICS’ Plan for Innovation Cooperation
5. Possible Problems and Risks of the BRICS’ Countries Cooperation
in Innovation
Conclusion
Introduction
The globalization of economies, science internationalization, global technological
chains and corresponding aspects of international science and technology cooperation
(ISTC) are becoming powerful drivers of technological development for many
countries. In the context of the BRICS countries’ economic cooperation, ISTC is regarded
more broadly than simply science and technology collaboration, it foresees as well
cooperation in innovation. The transition from joint science and technology projects
to cooperation in innovation is often aggravated by problems and risks predetermined
by the dierent characters and aims of these two types of activities, since science and
technology research activities are aimed at acquiring new knowledge, while innovation
activities are aimed at the development of new products (goods and services).
1. The Meaning and Purposes of International Cooperation in Science,
Technology and Innovation
In one of his articles, J.P. Holdren, former U.S. President Barack Obama’s Science Advisor
and Director of the White House Oce of Science and Technology, pointed out a number
of important factors that motivate countries to develop and support international science
and technology cooperation.1 Of these, the most important factors are:
1 John P. Holdren, How International Cooperation in Research Advances Both Science and Diplomacy,
Scientic American, 27 April 2017 (Nov. 18, 2018), available at https://blogs.scienticamerican.com/
guest-blog/how-international-cooperation-in-research-advances-both-science-and-diplomacy.

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