New Delhi, 21 August (H.S.): Under India’s BRICS chairship, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh will host the BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting and BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting on August 22 and 23, respectively. Youth and Sports Ministers and heads of delegations from all 11 BRICS member countries will participate in the meetings. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will chair the meetings, while Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse will also participate.

Youth Development and Empowerment on Agenda

The BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting on August 22 will focus on strengthening cooperation in youth development and empowerment. Key agenda items will include education, skill development, entrepreneurship, welfare and sustainable development. The meeting will also consider recommendations emerging from the BRICS Youth Council and the BRICS Youth Summit, besides identifying new areas of cooperation for future BRICS chairships.

Focus on Sports Technology and Manufacturing

The BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting on August 23 will focus on strengthening cooperation among member countries in the field of sports. During India’s chairship, traditional and indigenous sports, sports technology and sports manufacturing have been accorded key priority.

The meeting will adopt the BRICS Joint Declaration on Sports. A sports technology cooperation programme and a sports manufacturing conference will also form part of the proceedings.

Representatives from All 11 Member Countries to Participate

Representatives from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates will participate in the meetings.

The programme will also feature a BRICS Friendship Cycling event, bilateral meetings and cultural programmes. Both ministerial meetings will provide an important platform for member countries to exchange experiences and strengthen institutional cooperation in the fields of youth development and sports.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar