The ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in the cultural space would be one of the focus areas for discussion during the BRICS culture working group meetings beginning from Thursday (June 4, 2026), the Union Culture Ministry on Monday (June 1, 2026) said.
Creative economy, culture climate and sustainable development and cultural and creative industries are some of the other areas of deliberation, Union Culture Secretary Vivek Agrawal said at a press conference in which he unveiled the comprehensive roadmap and calendar for the 2026 BRICS Culture Track.
He said that there was a line up of major cultural events around the BRICS summit scheduled across the country over the coming months. Varanasi is set to host 2nd Culture Working Group Meeting, following the successful completion of the 1st Culture Working Group (CWG) meeting held virtually on April 29–30.
“As one of the world’s oldest living cities, Varanasi will serve as the backdrop for five critical thematic panel discussions aimed at shaping the final outcome document,” Mr. Agrawal said.
The five themes are: creative economy and people-to-people cooperation, copyright and ethical AI in the creative economy, cultural heritage protection and return of cultural property, collaborative approaches to safeguarding shared heritage and culture as a driver of sustainable development.
The culture track will feature a total of four official meetings alongside major public festivals, bringing together the 11 member nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Indonesia) along with 10 newly joined partner countries.
Third meeting to be held in Bhopal
After Varanasi, the 3rd BRICS Culture Working Group Meeting would be held in Bhopal followed by the BRICS Culture Festival and the BRICS Culture Minister’s meeting. A BRICS theatre festival would be held in Delhi in October.
The BRICS Culture Track has evolved significantly since India hosted the very first Cultural Ministers’ Meeting in Goa in 2016. With cooperation now spanning over 30 tracks, India’s hosting in 2026 marks a crucial milestone in fostering deeper people-to-people exchanges within an expanded global alliance, the Culture Ministry said in a statement.
Published - June 01, 2026 10:44 pm IST