BRICS Youth Summit and Council Meetings Commence in Gandhinagar

India has officially inaugurated the BRICS Youth Council Meeting and Youth Summit in Gandhinagar under its 2026 BRICS Presidency. The international event brings together young diplomats, entrepreneurs, and academic leaders from member nations to participate in high-level dialogues focused on technological innovation, climate action, and economic resilience. By hosting these forums, India aims to strengthen multilateral youth engagement, foster cross-border startup ecosystems, and cultivate strategic collaborative leadership among emerging economies on global developmental priorities. Strengthening Global Youth Cooperation in Gandhinagar Under the overarching theme of "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability," India officially inaugurated the BRICS Youth Council Meeting and BRICS Youth Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Hosted by the Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the multi-day event reflects a humanity-first approach aimed at placing young leaders at the center of global development. High-level dignitaries, including Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, addressed the opening sessions alongside foreign youth delegates and institutional leaders. The summit highlights Yuva Shakti—the collective energy and enterprise of young citizens—as a vital engine for technological innovation, economic growth, and cross-border cooperation across BRICS member and partner nations. By bringing together emerging changemakers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, the conclave provides a dedicated platform to formulate practical recommendations for pressing global challenges. Core Priority Areas and Institutional Dialogues The sessions in Gandhinagar feature structured thematic discussions focused on four central pillars: Education, Entrepreneurship & Future Readiness; Inclusive Development & Youth Wellbeing; Sustainability & Environmental Responsibility; and People-to-People Cooperation. Parallel to the public summit, official representatives gathered for the BRICS Youth Council Meeting to advance institutional dialogue and build consensus on the Draft Joint Declaration and the BRICS Youth Cooperation Framework. These multilateral discussions incorporate national best practices to establish long-term pathways for youth-led social enterprise and environmental stewardship. Furthermore, delegates participated in cultural exchanges highlighting local traditions and visited iconic regional landmarks, including the Statue of Unity, to deepen interpersonal ties among participating delegations. Paving the Way for the Ministerial Framework The outcomes and joint recommendations finalized during the Gandhinagar sessions will directly feed into the upcoming BRICS Youth Ministers' Meeting scheduled in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. At this upcoming ministerial assembly, youth ministers from member states are set to review the consensus-based draft declaration and formally adopt the Joint Ministerial Statement on Youth Cooperation. This sequential progression underscores India's commitment to transforming youth dialogues into actionable policy mandates across the broader BRICS framework. Initiatives such as the "Serve BRICS" volunteer movement and specialized entrepreneurship working groups further demonstrate how youth engagement is becoming an integral component of global governance. Ultimately, the successful convening in Gujarat establishes a robust roadmap for sustainable, youth-driven progress across emerging economies.