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![The eThekwini Declaration was adopted during the March 2013 Summit and called for forming a council of think tanks [PPIO]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/BRICS-PPIO-300x200.jpg)
The eThekwini Declaration was adopted during the March 2013 Summit and called for forming a council of think tanks [PPIO]
The BTTC, comprising the think tanks of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and host country South Africa, also reviewed the progress of its members since the last BRICS Summit in March 2013.
At the close of the March 2013 Summit, the five BRICS leaders adopted the eThekwini Declaration and eThekwini Roadmap, both of which called for increased ministerial meetings on the sidelines of international conferences and events, and forming a platform for the exchange of ideas among researchers, academia and think tanks.
The Declaration also encouraged convening the annual BRICS Academic Forum, making policy recommendations, and giving guidance to BRICS leaders.
South African Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana told delegates that the BTTC has the capacity to use the intellectual resources of its networks to consolidate ideas and research and prepare them for practical implementation and advancement of the BRICS agenda.
“The BRICS Think Tanks Council is expected to serve as the brains behind BRICS strategic decisions, and therefore going forward the success of BRICS will be dependent on the quality of its work and advice,” Manana said.
“There are high expectations of the BTTC,” he added. “It is, therefore, important that this council of intellectuals is able to work together and to seek solutions to intricate international problems.”
Source: Agencies
