Download: The full BRICS Digital Sovereignty Index Report is available to download directly on this page. On the morning of March 27, the International Communication Research Institute, East China Normal University (ECNU) & Global South Academic Forum (GSAF), together with the Institute for Digital Economy & Artificial Systems (IDEAS), officially released the BRICS Digital Sovereignty Index Report during the Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum). The outcome has been selected for the Outstanding Research Achievement Release Program of the ZGC Global High-level Think Tank Alliance (hereinafter referred to as "the Alliance").
As one of the most anticipated key highlights of this forum, the report is based on the Digital Sovereignty Index (DSI) Framework proposed by our institute and adopts a five-level maturity model for its research. The results reveal notable development divergence in digital sovereignty among BRICS nations: China leads comprehensively in data governance, infrastructure, cyberspace governance, and digital capabilities; Russia stands out in cyberspace governance and policy frameworks; India demonstrates strong performance in digital capabilities, leveraging its talent advantage and ecosystem advantage. Most newly admitted member countries remain in the early stage regarding infrastructure and core technologies, highlighting the shared challenges facing the Global South. Using a quantifiable evaluation framework as its methodology, the report offers an innovative outline of common challenges for the Global South in digital transformation and was highly recognized by participating experts.
During the ZGC Forum, IDEAS, a partner organization of GSAF, and the Alliance officially signed a Strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Global High-Level Think Tank Forum for Science & Technology Innovation. Shameem A. Nawber, Deputy Director of IDEAS, took the stage on behalf of IDEAS to receive the plaque designating the Alliance's Digital Economy Innovation Center (Xiamen). This cooperation focuses on four core areas: co-building high-level think tanks, industrial application, promoting talent exchange, and establishing an institutionalized mechanism. Guided by the principles of "Resource Sharing, Complementary Strengths, Win-win Cooperation, Pragmatic and Efficient," both parties focus on key areas such as artificial intelligence and are committed to jointly building a cooperation platform linking BRICS nations with the global innovation network.
Since its founding in 2007, ZGC Forum has served as a national-level global platform for science, technology, and innovation exchange and cooperation, offering authoritative guidance for global science and technology development and China's original innovation, and engaging in in-depth exchange with Global South countries. Building on this as a new starting point, GSAF will work with its partners to continue deepening core research on digital sovereignty, jointly advance the building of an international academic network, help build an open and collaborative global innovation ecosystem, and keep contributing BRICS wisdom to establishing a fairer and more inclusive new order in the global digital space.
Editor | Zheng Yuhan
