The BRICS Youth Ministers' Meeting concluded in Visakhapatnam with a landmark Joint Statement focused on education, entrepreneurship, and technology. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized shifting from 'youth participation' to 'youth partnership'.
- BRICS nations adopted a comprehensive Joint Statement to deepen youth cooperation.
- Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya set a goal to develop 100,000 non-political young leaders for 2047.
- The 'MY Bharat' platform has successfully registered over 2.5 crore youth.
- Key focus areas include entrepreneurship, science, technology, and environmental sustainability.
The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Visakhapatnam on Saturday with the formal adoption of a Joint Statement. This historic document affirms the collective commitment of member nations to intensify youth cooperation and expand the role of young people in global development processes. The meeting served as the grand finale of youth-centric engagements under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship.
A Paradigm Shift in Youth Engagement
Addressing the high-level gathering, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya articulated a transformative vision for the future. He emphasized that India’s approach is to move beyond traditional models. "Our goal is to shift from youth participation to youth partnership; from consultation to co-creation; and from programs for youth to platforms built with youth," Mandaviya stated.
The Minister also highlighted the government's vision for 2047, aiming to cultivate 100,000 young leaders who possess no political backgrounds, ensuring a diverse and skilled leadership pipeline. He noted the massive success of the 'MY Bharat' platform, which now boasts over 2.5 crore registered users engaged in volunteering and civic learning.
Core Pillars of the Joint Statement
The adopted Joint Statement is a multi-dimensional roadmap covering critical sectors: education and skills, youth entrepreneurship, science and technology, social and cultural participation, poverty alleviation, health, sports, and environmental sustainability. By integrating interfaith dialogue and youth inclusion, the statement seeks to build a resilient and inclusive global community.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this strategic alignment among BRICS nations could create a unified digital and economic ecosystem for the world's largest youth population. By focusing on entrepreneurship and technological co-creation, BRICS is positioning its youth as the primary engines of future global economic growth.
Moving from treating youth as beneficiaries to treating them as active partners is the cornerstone of sustainable development.
In addition to the plenary sessions, Minister Mandaviya conducted crucial bilateral meetings with his counterparts from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These discussions centered on enhancing digital platforms for youth engagement and fostering cross-border skill development and entrepreneurship.
Historical Context
This meeting follows the BRICS Youth Summit and Council Meeting held in Gandhinagar. Under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” India’s leadership in the 2026 BRICS Chairship has prioritized creating structural frameworks that empower the next generation of global leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the main themes of the BRICS Joint Statement?
The themes include education, entrepreneurship, science, technology, health, sports, and environmental sustainability.
2. What is the significance of the 'MY Bharat' platform mentioned?
It is a digital platform designed for youth volunteering, learning, and civic engagement, currently serving millions of users.