BRICS Youth Ministers approve joint statement in Visakhapatnam; delegates take part in 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'

Vishakhapatnam, Aug 22 (AHN) The BRICS Youth Ministers' meeting concluded successfully in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, with member nations adopting a comprehensive joint statement to strengthen youth cooperation and participation in development.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse led the Indian delegation at the high-level gathering organised by the Department of Youth Affairs.

The joint statement covers critical areas, including education, training and skills; youth entrepreneurship; science, technology and innovation; social and cultural participation; volunteering; combating poverty and inequalities; health and sports; environment and sustainability; interfaith dialogue; youth exchange; and youth inclusion.

The meeting, held under India's BRICS Chairship 2026, built on the outcomes of the BRICS Youth Summit and BRICS Youth Council meeting organised earlier in Gandhinagar on August 19-20.

Ministers and senior officials from BRICS countries reviewed progress in youth cooperation, exchanged policy perspectives and discussed priorities for advancing the role of young people in sustainable and inclusive development.

Addressing the delegates, Mansukh Mandaviya said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has prepared a vision document for 2047 to mark 100 years of Independence.

The Prime Minister has called for developing one lakh young leaders without political backgrounds to realise this vision.

"We have launched MY Bharat as a one-stop platform for volunteering, learning, leadership and civic engagement. Today, more than 25 million youth have registered and are actively participating on this platform," Union Minister Mandaviya added.

Emphasising a shift in approach, the Union Minister said, "Young people must be recognised not merely as beneficiaries, but as active partners in shaping our shared future. Let us move from youth participation to youth partnership; from consultation to co-creation; from programmes for youth to platforms built with youth."

Mansukh Mandaviya held bilateral meetings with counterparts from South Africa (Sindisiwe Chikunga) and the United Arab Emirates (Sultan Al Neyadi).

Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in youth affairs and sports, with emphasis on skill development, entrepreneurship, digital platforms, exchange programmes and capacity-building initiatives.

On the sidelines, delegates participated in the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' plantation drive, where each representative planted a sapling in honour of their mothers.

The gesture was widely appreciated.

They also visited the historic Thotlakonda Buddhist Monastery, gaining insights into India's civilisational heritage of peace and cultural exchange.

The successful conclusion of the Youth Ministers' meeting marks an important milestone under India's BRICS chairship theme of "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability".

The outcomes have strengthened partnerships and created avenues for continued collaboration among the youth of BRICS nations.