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Youth in governance
Promote meaningful youth participation in global governance and policy discourse.
Flagship · International Youth Day
Rising Youth Summit 2026
Youth Shaping the Future of a Connected, Sustainable and Inclusive World
- Virtual · Global
A virtual global summit organised by the BRICS Youth Alliance and partner organisations on International Youth Day, convening young leaders and experts from across BRICS nations to exchange ideas on leadership, entrepreneurship, climate action and governance — culminating in the Rising Youth Declaration 2026.
The Summit
A flagship conference for International Youth Day
The Rising Youth Summit 2026 was a flagship virtual conference launched by the BRICS Youth Alliance in observance of International Youth Day 2026, and within the broader context of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, recognising the vital role of volunteerism in advancing peace, social cohesion, humanitarian action and sustainable development.
It brought together young leaders, policymakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, academics, humanitarian actors and development practitioners from across BRICS countries and beyond. Through high-level dialogue and multi-stakeholder engagement, the Summit explored youth leadership, education and skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, climate action, digital inclusion, humanitarian initiatives and global governance.
Around 1,500 young people from 60+ countries applied to take part. The Summit was held as a Zoom webinar and streamed live on the BRICS Youth Alliance YouTube channel.
Vision
A high-level platform for youth-led solutions
To provide a high-level platform for young leaders, innovators and changemakers to engage in dialogue, foster international cooperation, advance humanitarian initiatives, and develop youth-led solutions that contribute to sustainable development, social progress, peace and shared prosperity.
Objectives
What the Summit set out to do
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Dialogue
Facilitate dialogue between youth leaders and decision-makers.
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Youth-led initiatives
Showcase innovative youth-led initiatives and enterprises.
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Cooperation
Strengthen international cooperation and people-to-people connections.
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Recommendations
Develop actionable recommendations on youth priorities for sustainable development.
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Network
Create a network of emerging leaders committed to collaborative impact.
Programme · 1300–1700 IST
Six panel and plenary sessions
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Inaugural Session — The Future Is Young: Leadership for a Transforming World
1300–1345 · Set the vision for the Summit and examined the evolving role of youth in shaping economies, societies and global institutions.
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Fireside Conversation — From Aspiration to Action: Lessons from Global Leaders
1345–1400 · Participants put their questions to experts from across the BRICS nations.
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Panel I — Entrepreneurship without Borders
1400–1445 · How international cooperation, digital connectivity and innovation ecosystems can help young entrepreneurs grow beyond geographical boundaries.
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Panel II — Climate Leadership and the Green Transition
1455–1540 · The role of youth leadership in addressing climate challenges and advancing the transition towards greener, more resilient economies.
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Panel III — Youth Voices in Global Governance
1550–1635 · Youth in public policy, democratic participation, multilateral cooperation and global development agendas.
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Closing Plenary — Youth Shaping the Next Decade
1645–1700 · The commitments, partnerships and collective actions needed for a more sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future.
Rising Youth Talks
Three special sessions
After each panel, young changemakers gave five-minute, TED-style presentations of transformative ideas aligned to that panel's theme:
- Entrepreneurship without Borders
- Climate Leadership and the Green Transition
- Youth Voices in Global Governance
The Rising Youth Declaration 2026
Key recommendations under three pillars
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Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Recommendations to strengthen youth entrepreneurship ecosystems, widen access to finance and mentorship, and enable cross-border collaboration for youth-led ventures.
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Climate & Sustainability
Youth-led commitments on climate resilience, green entrepreneurship, sustainable lifestyles, and expanding opportunities in green jobs and the circular economy.
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Leadership & Governance
Actionable recommendations to strengthen youth participation in governance, multilateral cooperation, civic leadership and peacebuilding.
Be part of the next edition.
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