BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meet in Vizag Issues Joint Statement

Visakhapatnam: The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Visakhapatnam on Saturday with adoption of a joint statement outlining cooperation among member countries in youth development, education, skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports and social participation. The meeting, organised by the department of youth affairs under the ministry of youth affairs and sports, had been chaired by Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Union minister of state for Defence Nikhil Khadse and youth affairs secretary Sunil Paliwal attended the meeting.

The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting in Visakhapatnam came in the wake of BRICS Youth Summit and Youth Council Meeting at Gandhinagar in Gujarat on August 19 and August 20. At a cultural event for the visiting ministers and delegates, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu welcomed the representatives to Visakhapatnam, describing it as the "City of Destiny". He outlined plans to develop the city as a hub for maritime activities, technology, and sports, citing its coastline, employment opportunities, and potential for water sports and sports tourism. Naidu said sports improve well-being among youth and create employment opportunities for athletes, coaches and trainers. He highlighted yoga and meditation for physical and mental health.

The CM announced plans for a comprehensive sports ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh, including academies and centres of excellence centred around Amaravati Sports City. He said sports equipment and technology manufacturing companies are also showing interest in Nellore.

Naidu invited BRICS countries to explore partnerships in sports tourism, international events and athlete exchanges. He proposed establishment of a BRICS Youth and Sports Innovation Network in Visakhapatnam. Addressing the delegates, Mandaviya highlighted India’s vision for 2047 and the need to develop young leaders for the purpose. He said the MY Bharat platform provides opportunities for volunteering, learning, leadership, and civic engagement, with more than 25 million youth registered with it. Mandaviya held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from South Africa and the UAE on cooperation between them in youth affairs and sports, skill development, entrepreneurship and digital platforms.

Their discussions covered exchange programmes, capacity-building initiatives and institutional frameworks. The BRICS joint statement underlined cooperation in education, training and skills development, youth entrepreneurship, science and technology, social and cultural participation, volunteering, poverty reduction, health and sports, environmental sustainability, interfaith dialogue, youth exchanges and inclusion.

Significantly, the delegates participated in "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" plantation drive and visited the historic Thotlakonda Buddhist heritage site.

The Visakhapatnam meeting has come when India has the BRICS Chairmanship under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”