BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies

On September 16, the BRICS Forum on Partnership on New Industrial Revolution 2025 commenced in Xiamen for a two-day session. Centered on the theme "Unleashing the Potential of BRICS Cooperation to Achieve Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization," this year's forum focuses on areas including artificial intelligence, green and low-carbon development, the digital economy, and industrial innovation. Compared to previous editions, this forum features four notable highlights: broader international participation, with attendees not only from BRICS member states but also partner nations and representatives of other developing countries and international organizations; more substantial outcomes, highlighting the fruitful results achieved in recent years through President Xi Jinping's series of major cooperation initiatives proposed at BRICS Summits, and the release of public products provided by China to advance BRICS cooperation; more focused dialogue topics, as the forum aligns with industrial trends of digitalization, greening, and intelligence, actively addresses the cooperation needs of BRICS countries and developing nations, and prioritizes industrial collaboration as both the starting point and ultimate goal; richer supporting activities, including the awards ceremony of the BRICS Industrial Innovation Contest and the BRICS New Industrial Revolution Exhibition held concurrently.

The forum announced six cooperation achievements. The China Centre for BRICS Industrial Competences was inaugurated on-site, and the Xiamen node of the BRICS Digital Industry Ecosystem Cooperation Network was officially launched. The six key deliverables include achievements from the fifth anniversary of the BRICS PartNIR Innovation Center, early-stage outcomes of the China Center for BRICS Industrial Competences, the BRICS New Industrial "Golden Egret" Excellence Scholarship, accomplishments of the China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Center, results of the BRICS Digital Industry Ecosystem Cooperation Network, and the expansion and action plan of the International Cooperation Initiative on New Industrialization. The newly inaugurated China Center for BRICS Industrial Competences will be jointly developed by the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology and the International Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, under the guidance and support of MIIT. The Center will focus on four key areas: promoting cooperation in industrial innovation capabilities, digital transformation capabilities and industrial sustainable development capabilities, and building an industrial capability service platform. The Xiamen node—the first node of the BRICS Digital Industry Ecosystem Cooperation Network—was officially launched. Since its inception in April this year, 71 domestic and international organizations have applied for network membership, forming an initial multi-dimensional, multi-tiered ecosystem for digital industry cooperation.

Brazil and China have joined forces to lay the foundation for a laboratory dedicated to developing artificial intelligence and small-scale machinery for family farming in Brazil’s semi-arid regions. 

The lab will be based at the National Institute of the Semi-Arid (INSA) in Campina Grande, linked to Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), the federal body responsible for national science and technology policy. The facility will focus on environmental monitoring and data analysis, according to a statement shared by the Brazilian government.

The cornerstone ceremony took place on 16 October at the China Agricultural University (CAU) in Beijing. The event brought together Chinese representatives, Dayvid Santos, General Coordinator for Social Technology and Solidarity Economy at MCTI, and Etham Barbosa, director of INSA.

“Brazil contributes extensive experience in tropical agriculture, deep knowledge of soils and biomes, and the strength of its rural producers. China brings remarkable innovation, high-tech manufacturing, and rapid adoption of digital solutions. Together, we are natural and complementary partners,” Santos said.

The lab stems from a memorandum of understanding signed in November 2024 and will be managed by INSA. The foundation-laying ceremony was part of the Belt and Road Initiative countries’ development models symposium.

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India has unveiled a pioneering bottled water initiative that uses atmospheric water generation technology to create drinking water directly from air – a first for the country and a milestone in global sustainability. The project introduces a renewable, zero-extraction model for producing pure water without depleting groundwater resources.

The new system will begin operating in Pune with a production capacity of 10,000 litres per day, serving retail consumers and supporting the wider beverage and hospitality sectors. The technology extracts humidity from the atmosphere, condenses it, and purifies the result through a multi-stage filtration and mineralisation process to produce naturally clean drinking water.

Scientists and sustainability experts describe the project as a transformative breakthrough that aligns with Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They emphasise that atmospheric water generation represents a major step in reducing water stress while promoting climate-adaptive innovation.

According to specialists involved in the initiative, the air-to-water system not only addresses growing water scarcity but also offers a scalable, sustainable model for future beverage production. The innovation demonstrates that advanced technology and environmental responsibility can coexist to meet both consumer needs and ecological goals.

The project also aims to inspire broader adoption of renewable water technologies across Indian cities, promoting localised production and reducing reliance on traditional water extraction. Experts note that this approach could strengthen national water security while contributing to India’s leadership in green innovation.

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China's research centres and robotics laboratories have intensified efforts to refine both hardware precision and artificial intelligence systems, inspired by breakthroughs in embodied intelligence – the integration of AI with physical robotics.

This new wave of development is enabling robots to perform increasingly complex tasks and interact safely with humans, moving beyond controlled demonstration environments into factories, logistics hubs, and public spaces.

Experts note that China is rapidly advancing the commercialisation of humanoid robots, with notable progress in industrial automation, smart logistics, education, and healthcare sectors.

“The rising trend of industrial robotics in 2025 was mainly driven by efficiency, advancements in AI, the complexity of products, the resilience of supply chains, and the expansion of robotics into other industries. As we move forward, it is clear that robots will play a crucial role in shaping the future of work and revolutionising various sectors,” said Zhong Xiangyun, a humanoid robot industry observer.

According to industry analysts, in the first nine months of 2025 alone, more than 600 investment deals were registered in the field of embodied intelligence, with total financing exceeding US$6.9 billion – more than double the previous year’s level.

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Brazil and Malaysia have agreed to establish a joint venture for semiconductor production. The announcement was made by Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos.

The enterprise will specialise in producing microchips for electric vehicles and equipment related to the transition to clean energy. As the minister noted, this initiative will help Brazil strengthen its national industry and take on a more prominent role in the global semiconductor supply chain.

The agreement was concluded during the visit of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil to Malaysia. Five documents on cooperation in science and technology were also signed during the visit. Three of them – in the fields of space, digital transformation, and bioeconomy – are overseen by Brazil’s Ministry of Science.

At the same time, the republic is developing its own semiconductor industry. The Brazilian government has revived operations at the country’s only chip manufacturing facility.

The ministry is also working to develop the extraction and processing of rare earth metals, of which Brazil holds the world’s second-largest reserves after China. A special council under the President has been established to coordinate this work.

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The UAE’s Office for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications has unveiled “AI for All”, a national training initiative launched during UAE Codes 2025. 

Running throughout 2026, it aims to equip people of all ages and professions with the fundamentals of artificial intelligence through accessible and comprehensive learning programmes.

Generative AI is expected to add  US$81.2 billion to the UAE’s economy. Minister of State Omar Sultan Al Olama said the initiative reflects the government’s vision to empower society through technology and to embed AI across vital sectors, improving productivity and overall quality of life.

Training will target students, professionals, creators, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with courses on writing effective AI prompts, using creative AI tools, and ensuring safe and responsible use. For SMEs, tailored sessions will show how AI can drive innovation, enhance operations, and unlock new business potential.

A nationwide awareness campaign will accompany the initiative, encouraging everyone to complete AI literacy modules and embrace digital skills essential for the future economy. 

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Russia and Indonesia have agreed to cooperate in the development of advanced maritime technologies, with the Russian side ready to support Indonesia’s ambition to become a global maritime hub and share its expertise.

Consultations on civil maritime cooperation between Russia and Indonesia took place in Jakarta. The Russian delegation was led by Aide to the President of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board, Nikolay Patrushev, while the Indonesian delegation was headed by Agus Yudhoyono, Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Coordination of Indonesia.

“We want to explore cooperation with Russia in developing hovercraft, hydrofoils, fishing vessels, and high-speed ships that are efficient and environmentally friendly,” said Yudhoyono.

The meeting resulted in the signing of a memorandum. The two countries plan to cooperate in six areas of the maritime sector, including shipbuilding, personnel training, transport potential, and energy transition.

“Russia has extensive experience in industry, knowledge, and technology. We are ready to share that experience,” noted Patrushev.

The future partnership also includes the possibility of joint research on renewable energy sources for shipbuilding facilities and the sustainable use of marine and fishery resources.

Officials from both countries stated that the talks reflect a mutual interest in maritime cooperation amid the growing global demand for greener shipping technologies.

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