Visakhapatnam Hosts BRICS Youth and Sports Ministerial Meetings Under India’s Chairship
Visakhapatnam is serving as the host city for the BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting and the BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting on August 22 and 23. The events bring together delegations from all 11 BRICS member states as part of India’s BRICS Chairship for 2026, which operates under the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’.
What Happened
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya is chairing the two ministerial engagements in Visakhapatnam. Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse, along with senior ministry officials including Secretary (Youth Affairs) Sunil Paliwal and Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao, are also participating in the sessions.
The two-day schedule involves ministerial discussions on youth development on August 22, evening bilateral talks hosted by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, an early morning cycling event on August 23, and the formal BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting.
Key Highlights
- Participating Nations: Ministers and Heads of Delegation represent 11 countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
- Youth Development Agenda: The Youth Ministers’ Meeting concentrates on education, skills, entrepreneurship, wellbeing, and sustainable development, drawing upon prior inputs from the BRICS Youth Council Meeting and the BRICS Youth Summit.
- Bilateral Meetings: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with visiting delegates and Minister Mandaviya at Novotel Visakhapatnam between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on August 22.
- BRICS Friendship Cycling Event: Set for 7 a.m. on August 23, this five-kilometre round trip along Ramakrishna Beach Road toward the Submarine Museum and Sea Harrier area features a traditional drum welcome by local fisherfolk.
- Sports Collaboration Focus: The sports agenda highlights the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026, the formation of a BRICS Sports Working Group on Sports Technology, and a BRICS Sports Manufacturing Conclave.
- Delegation Rules: Each national delegation is permitted up to four representatives, with English serving as the official working language.
Why This Matters
The engagements serve to structure formal cooperation among the expanded group of 11 BRICS nations. The outcomes aim to establish continuity across future chairships through the adoption of the BRICS Youth Cooperation Framework and joint ministerial declarations covering both youth affairs and sports sector developments.
What to Watch Next
The Youth Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled to conclude with the adoption of the BRICS Youth Ministerial Joint Declaration and the BRICS Youth Cooperation Framework, followed by closing remarks by Minister of State Raksha Khadse. The Sports Ministers’ Meeting on August 23 is set to conclude with statements from each member nation and the formal adoption of the BRICS Sports Ministers’ Joint Declaration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are participating in the ministerial meetings?
Delegations from 11 member nations are participating: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
What is the official theme of India’s BRICS Chairship?
The theme for India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship is ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’.
What specific sports initiatives are being discussed?
Discussions focus on the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026, the establishment of a BRICS Sports Working Group on Sports Technology, and a BRICS Sports Manufacturing Conclave.
Source: Reporting based on details published by The Hindu.