The following events were organized in the run-up to the Fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi:
1. BRICS National Statistical Authorities’ Meeting, 6-8 February 2012 New Delhi
BRICS National Statistical Authorities bring out BRICS Statistical Publication. The first publication was released during the 2nd Summit in Brasilia in April 2010. A revised edition of the publication was released at the 3rd Summit in Sanya (after South Africa joined BRICS). An updated edition of the Joint Statistical Publication was also released at the Delhi BRICS Summit.
2. Technical Experts Meeting of BRICS Development Banks, 15-17 February 2012, Kumarakoram, Kerala
This cooperation was strengthened following the signing of Master Multilateral Agreement among BRICS Development Banks at the Sanya Summit in April 2011. The EXIM Bank of India convened a meeting of technical experts on this issue to work out the strengthening mechanism.
3. Economic Research Group, 27 February 2012, New Delhi
This Group, the first initiative of its kind, brought together economic think-tanks from BRICS as well as Editors of business and economic magazines/publications to evolve BRICS thinking on economic linkages and developmental challenges within and outside BRICS. The Meeting was conducted by The National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) and it came up with many useful recommendations for future cooperation.
4. Fourth BRICS Academic Forum, 5-6 March 2012, New Delhi
An MoU has been signed among the designated think-tanks from BRICS countries to formalise this engagement. Observer Research Foundation (ORF) is coordinating India’s engagement in this initiative.
5. Second Meeting of the Contact Group on Economic, Trade and Investment issues, 6-7 March 2012, New Delhi
The second Meeting of the CGETI, represented at the level of Director Generals/Joint Secretaries in the Ministry of Commerce/Trade of the five countries, was held to explore areas of cooperation and prepare the agenda for the Trade Ministers’ Meeting.
6. Meeting of Senior Officials, 19 March 2012, New Delhi
The purpose of the meeting was to have first round of discussions to examine the feasibility of the concept of setting up a new Development Bank.
7. Trade Ministers’ Meeting, 28 March 2012, New Delhi
As has been the practice since the Brasilia Summit 2010, the Trade Ministers met just prior to the Summit.
8. BRICS Business Forum, 28 March 2012, New Delhi
FICCI, together with other Chambers like CII and ASSOCHAM within India, and its counterparts in BRICS countries hosted the Forum just prior to the Summit.
9. Financial Forum of BRICS Development Banks, 28 March 2012, New Delhi
This was organized by the EXIM Bank of India just prior to the Summit.