On October 21, the 7th Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Education was held via video conferencing. Ministry-level education officials from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa attended the meeting.

During the meeting, Vice Minister of Education of China Tian Xuejun spoke about China’s efforts to promote higher education, vocational education, skills training and multi-lateral education cooperation in the post-COVID age. He also exchanged views with representatives from other BRICS countries on the future pathway for educational reform, and put forward proposals on how to deepen educational cooperation and exchange among BRICS countries.

Tian said that the COVID-19 pandemic was a major threat on public health, and emerging economies like BRICS countries should come together to tackle challenges. Tian pointed out that education was a very important component of the BRICS cooperation, and the five countries should fully leverage their respective resources, overcome cultural barriers, uphold the principles of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, and achieve synergy among governments and education institutions to create a conducive policy environment for education. Tian said China hoped to join hands with other BRICS countries to overcome the crisis, deepen cultural exchanges and explore wider cooperation.

The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, the BRICS host nation for 2020. Consensus was reached on future educational cooperation among BRICS countries and the outcome document, Declaration of 7th Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Education, was adopted.