BRICS Youth Ministers Adopt Joint Statement
Visakhapatnam meeting focuses on youth skills, entrepreneurship, innovation and meaningful participation in development
- BRICS Youth Ministers adopt a joint statement to strengthen youth cooperation.
- Dr Mansukh Mandaviya calls for youth to become active partners in shaping the future.
- Delegates participate in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive.
- Representatives visit the historic Totlakonda Buddhist Monastery.
GG News Bureau
Visakhapatnam, 22nd Aug: The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting 2026 concluded in Visakhapatnam on Saturday with the adoption of a Joint Statement aimed at strengthening youth cooperation and promoting meaningful participation of young people in development.
The meeting was chaired by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, with Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse and Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Sunil Paliwal participating in the proceedings.
The discussions built on the outcomes of the BRICS Youth Summit and BRICS Youth Council Meeting, held in Gandhinagar on August 19-20.
Addressing the delegates, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted India’s efforts to empower young people and said the government has launched initiatives in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India@2047.
He highlighted MY Bharat, a platform for volunteering, learning, leadership and civic engagement, and said more than 25 million young people have registered on the platform.
Dr. Mandaviya stressed that young people should be treated not merely as beneficiaries but as active partners in shaping the future. He called for a shift from youth participation to youth partnership and from consultation to co-creation.
The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Joint Statement identifies several priority areas, including education, training and skills, youth entrepreneurship, science and technology, social and cultural participation, volunteering, poverty reduction, health and sports, environmental sustainability, interfaith dialogue, youth exchanges and inclusion.
The ministers also emphasised the need to create enabling environments where young people can develop their capabilities, participate in decision-making and contribute to addressing contemporary challenges.
The meeting called for stronger youth-led initiatives, innovation and entrepreneurship, along with greater opportunities for cross-border collaboration and exchange of experiences among young people from BRICS nations.
‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Plantation Drive
As part of the programme, delegates participated in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive, planting saplings in honour of their mothers.
The initiative was presented as a symbolic expression of gratitude and received appreciation from visiting delegations.
Delegates also visited the historic Totlakonda Buddhist Monastery near Visakhapatnam. The visit provided an opportunity to experience India’s cultural heritage and traditions of peace, harmony and cultural exchange.
The youth ministerial meeting marked the culmination of youth-focused engagements under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, aligned with the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Dr. Mandaviya also held bilateral meetings with counterparts from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Discussions focused on youth affairs and sports, including skill development, youth entrepreneurship and digital platforms for youth engagement.
The sides explored cooperation through exchange programmes, capacity-building initiatives and institutional frameworks in the youth and sports sectors.
The conclusion of the meeting and adoption of the Joint Statement are expected to provide a framework for continued BRICS cooperation aimed at harnessing the potential of young people for a more resilient, innovative, inclusive and sustainable future.
