New Delhi, August 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India will host the Meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) of BRICS member countries in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, from August 3 to 4 as part of its BRICS Chairship for 2026, according to an official statement issued on Sunday.
The meeting will bring together representatives from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates to discuss strengthening cooperation in official statistics, innovation in statistical systems and the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
India’s BRICS Chairship this year is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability (BRICS).” Under the Statistics Track, the country has adopted the theme “Quality Statistics as Driver of Change,” highlighting the importance of reliable, innovative and people-centric statistical systems capable of supporting evidence-based policymaking and sustainable development.
Official statistics have become increasingly important in tracking economic and social progress, shaping policy decisions and facilitating cooperation among BRICS nations. Since 2010, the grouping has jointly published the Joint Statistical Publication (JSP), while the Snapshot BRICS JSP, introduced in 2020, provides a concise compilation of harmonised statistical indicators across member countries.
Ahead of the ministerial-level meeting, a technical meeting of BRICS National Statistical Offices was held on April 16-17, 2026, during which member countries discussed the framework, responsibilities and timelines for preparing the 2026 editions of the Joint Statistical Publication and the Snapshot publication.
The BRICS Statistics Track focuses on strengthening core statistical products, modernising national statistical systems, enhancing macroeconomic and sectoral statistics, and improving data dissemination and accessibility.
Alongside the NSO meeting, India will also organise two half-day side events involving policymakers, academics, think tanks, civil society organisations and technical experts. The discussions will focus on unlocking the potential of administrative data and enhancing artificial intelligence readiness in the evolving data ecosystem.
The meeting is expected to reinforce statistical collaboration among BRICS countries and support the development of more robust, transparent and technology-driven official statistical systems.
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