LUCKNOW, Aug. 4 -- Heads of National Statistical Offices (NSO) from across the BRICS nations gathered in Lucknow on Monday for a two-day meeting aimed at reimagining how data is collected, shared and used. The opening day of the meeting saw the release of the draft BRICS Joint Statistical Publication (JPS) 2026 and the Snapshot BRICS JSP 2026. Member countries will now send additional inputs before a final consensus version is adopted.

Inaugurated under India's Chairship, the meeting brought more than 350 participants to the state capital - NSO chiefs, policymakers, academics, think-tanks, civil society members and technical experts from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and UAE.

While BRICS as...