New Delhi: Two important meetings of Youth Affairs and Sports Ministers will be held on 22 and 23 August 2026 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh under India’s BRICS Chairmanship. Ministers and delegations of all 11 member countries of BRICS will take prominent part in these meetings. Both meetings aim to further strengthen cooperation between member states in the field of youth work and sports.
India's BRICS Chairmanship for the year 2026 is based on the theme of “Strengthening, Innovation, Cooperation and Building for Sustainability”. In this, priority has been given to people-centric and humanity-first approach. The ministerial meetings to be held in Visakhapatnam will serve as an important platform to take forward the discussions and meetings held during the Chairmanship.
Mansukh Mandaviya will preside over the meetings
Both the ministerial meetings will be chaired by Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse will also participate in the proceedings. Youth Program Secretary Sunil Paliwal and Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao will also be present among senior officials of the ministry.
During the BRICS Youth Affairs Ministers' meeting on 22 August, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will deliver the country statement on behalf of India, while Raksha Khadse will deliver the valedictory address.
Discussion on everything from youth development to entrepreneurship
The main focus of the BRICS Youth Affairs Ministers' meeting will be to enhance cooperation in youth development and empowerment. Important issues like education, skill development, entrepreneurship, youth welfare and sustainable development will be discussed in the meeting.
Apart from this, major recommendations emerging from the BRICS Youth Council meeting and BRICS Youth Summit will also be discussed. Member States will identify potential areas of further cooperation.
The BRICS Youth Ministerial Joint Declaration and BRICS Youth Cooperation Framework are expected to be adopted at the end of the meeting.
Emphasis on traditional and indigenous sports in sports
There will be a meeting of BRICS Sports Ministers on 23 August. Sports ministers and delegations of all 11 member countries will take major part in it. In the meeting, the shared commitment to increase cooperation in the field of sports will be taken forward.
Under India's BRICS chairmanship, special focus has been given to topics like traditional and indigenous sports, sports technology and sports manufacturing in the sports sector. Future cooperation in these areas will be discussed in the meeting.
The event is expected to conclude with the adoption of the BRICS Sports Joint Declaration.
There will also be cycling competition and cultural programs
Apart from ministerial meetings, many other activities will also be organized in the two-day programme. These include BRICS Friendship Cycling Competition, country statements from member countries, bilateral meetings and cultural programs.
Delegations from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates will present their views in the sports ministers' meeting. After this the joint declaration will be adopted.
11 countries included in BRICS
- Brazil
- China
- egypt
- Ethiopia
- India
- Indonesia
- iran
- Russia
- saudi arabia
- South Africa
- united arab emirates
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