The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India (the department) organised the first BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Youth Coordination Meeting on 25 March 2026 in a virtual format. The session was held from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM IST and was attended by representatives from all BRICS member countries. The meeting initiated engagements under the theme of building for resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability and set the direction for youth cooperation during the year.

India presented an overview of the BRICS Youth Track 2026 and outlined key initiatives that will form the backbone of the year. These include working group meetings, thematic engagements, Serve BRICS volunteering activities, a Youth Development Forum, a Youth Council meeting, a Youth Summit and a Youth Ministerial Meeting. The department explained that these initiatives aim to foster practical collaboration, capacity building and exchange among young people across member countries.

Discussions during the meeting highlighted priority pillars for collaboration, encompassing education and skills, youth entrepreneurship, science and innovation, social participation and inclusion, health and sports, environment and sustainability, interfaith dialogue and youth exchange. Delegates exchanged views on aligning national youth policies and programmes to leverage comparative strengths and to promote inclusive opportunities. The session underscored the need for coordinated action and for mechanisms to monitor progress across agreed thematic areas during the chairship.

The department indicated a schedule of upcoming engagements and invited member countries to participate in working groups and consultations. It said virtual formats will continue to enable broad participation while planning for in person events later in the year. Officials noted that the coordination meeting has established a foundation for sustained dialogue and that implementation will be guided by periodic reviews and by mutual support among BRICS members.