India will host the BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting and the BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on August 22 and 23, respectively, as part of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026. Ministers and Heads of Delegation from all 11 BRICS member countries are expected to participate in the ministerial engagements, which will focus on strengthening cooperation in youth affairs and sports.
The meetings will be chaired by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, with Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Smt. Raksha Khadse participating in the proceedings. Senior officials from the Ministry, including Secretary, Youth Affairs Shri Sunil Paliwal and Secretary, Sports Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, will also be associated with the engagements.
The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting on August 22 will focus on cooperation in youth development and empowerment. Discussions will cover areas including education, skill development, entrepreneurship, youth wellbeing and sustainable development. The meeting will also consider recommendations emerging from the BRICS Youth Council Meeting and BRICS Youth Summit and identify future areas of cooperation under successive BRICS Chairships.
The BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting on August 23 will focus on strengthening collaboration in sports, with sports technology cooperation and a Sports Manufacturing Conclave forming key areas of discussion. The engagement is expected to provide an opportunity for BRICS countries to exchange knowledge, explore technological solutions and promote cooperation in sports-related industries and innovation.
India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, reflecting a people-centric and humanity-first approach. The Visakhapatnam ministerial meetings will build on discussions held during India’s chairship and provide a platform for advancing practical cooperation among BRICS nations. During the Youth Ministers’ Meeting, Dr. Mandaviya will deliver India’s country statement, while Smt. Khadse will deliver the closing remarks.
