The second day of the 18th Meeting of the Heads of Intellectual Property (IP) Offices of BRICS countries was held in New Delhi on September 2, 2026, with participating nations reaffirming their commitment to stronger multilateral cooperation in intellectual property.
Hosted by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (O/o CGPDTM), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the three-day meeting is being conducted from September 1 to 3.
Around 35 delegates are taking part in the meeting through both physical and virtual formats. Representatives from Russia, Iran and Ethiopia participated online, while delegates from the other BRICS Member Offices attended the discussions in person.
IP Cooperation Linked to Innovation and Economic Development
The Heads of IP Offices highlighted the strategic importance of intellectual property systems in encouraging innovation, creativity and economic development. Their discussions reflected the priorities of India’s BRICS Chairship, centred on the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The deliberations emphasised the role of effective IP frameworks in building technological resilience and supporting sustainable economic growth. The participating offices also stressed the importance of greater institutional coordination to facilitate innovation across borders.
A significant outcome of the meeting was the adoption of Updated Operational Guidelines for cooperation among BRICS IP Offices. The guidelines are intended to make collaborative initiatives more result-oriented, encourage cross-border innovation and contribute to efforts aimed at shaping global intellectual property standards.
Focus on Traditional Knowledge and Medicine
The meeting also recognised the importance of traditional knowledge and traditional systems of medicine as components of shared cultural and intellectual heritage. Delegates underlined the need for appropriate measures to protect and preserve such knowledge for future generations.
Progress under the Study on Reinforced Patent Examination Cooperation in BRICS was also reviewed. The initiative seeks to streamline patent examination processes, reduce backlogs and improve the exchange of search results among participating intellectual property offices.
The Heads of Offices further discussed the growing relevance of patent analytics and landscape studies in supporting technological development. Findings related to patent analytics and geographical indications (GIs) were noted as important tools for improving efficiency and strengthening the protection and commercialisation of GI products across BRICS markets.
New Projects to Deepen Institutional Engagement
The meeting also advanced discussions on several new initiatives aimed at expanding cooperation among BRICS IP institutions. These include the BRICS Intellectual Property Awareness Series, designed to promote greater understanding of IP among stakeholders.
Other proposed initiatives include the IP BRICS FinTech Innovation Monitor, BRICS Industrial Property Commercialisation Forum and Best Practices Repository, and projects concerning IP policies related to public health and development.
The agenda also includes research on Design Systems of BRICS and preparation of a Manual of Patent Documentation and Information Resources of BRICS Countries. Together, these projects are expected to create additional avenues for knowledge sharing, institutional learning and coordinated action.
Emphasis on Effective Implementation
The Heads of BRICS IP Offices stressed the importance of robust coordination mechanisms and regular reviews to monitor progress on jointly undertaken projects. Periodic assessments are expected to help ensure that agreed initiatives are implemented effectively and that cooperation remains continuous within the IP BRICS framework.
Participating delegates, including the Heads of IP Offices, appreciated the efforts of the O/o CGPDTM and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, for organising the meeting successfully.
The hosting of the annual IP BRICS meeting under India’s Chairship in 2026 was also viewed as a significant milestone, reflecting the country’s expanding role and footprint in the global intellectual property ecosystem.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
