BRICS Statistical Collaboration Expands as India Leads 2026 Programme

Under India’s 2026 BRICS presidency, the alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and the newer members Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will deepen statistical cooperation. The National Statistics Offices (NSOs) of these countries will meet in Lucknow on August 3‑4 to review progress on the Joint Statistical Publication (JSP) and the Snapshot BRICS JSP, both of which aim to provide harmonised, high‑quality data across the bloc.

India’s focus on “quality statistics as a catalyst for transformation” reflects a commitment to precision, innovation, and user‑friendly dissemination. The summit will discuss upgrading national statistical systems, fostering methodological innovation, and expanding access to macro‑economic and regional datasets.

The agenda builds on a technical session held on April 16‑17, where participants drafted a mutually accepted framework for the 2026 publications, allocated responsibilities, and set timelines for contributions from each NSO. The meeting will also feature two half‑day side programmes examining administrative and artificial‑intelligence readiness in the modern data ecosystem, involving policy makers, academics, think‑tanks and civil‑society groups.

By strengthening data standards and encouraging knowledge exchange, the Lucknow gathering seeks to reinforce the role of official statistics in guiding policy decisions and fostering inclusive, sustainable growth across the BRICS nations.