South Africa's BRICS Youth Association, led by Raymond Matlala, is emphasizing the need for more practical cooperation and youth innovation during the upcoming BRICS Summit 2026. Matlala, who chairs the association, highlighted the role of BRICS in creating direct benefits for member countries and urged greater engagement from young people in shaping the organization's future.
The summit, scheduled to begin on Saturday with a closed-door session, will bring together leaders from BRICS member states, partner nations, and outreach invitees. The event will focus on themes such as inclusive global governance and multilateralism, with an open session dedicated to resilience, innovation, and sustainability.
South Africa's leadership in the BRICS framework is underscored by its efforts to integrate youth voices into policy discussions. With BRICS representing over 50% of the world's population and 40% of global GDP, the summit is seen as a key platform for advancing shared economic and developmental goals.
The summit will also feature an official group photo on Sunday, marking the arrival of leaders and setting the stage for collaborative discussions on global challenges and opportunities.
