Bisathi Bharath from Anantapur is representing the country at the prestigious 9th CICA Youth Council Meeting 2026, a two-day event that commenced on Friday (June 26, 2026), in Baku, Azerbaijan.

For the past 15 years, Mr. Bharath has been actively working towards youth development, leadership promotion, and the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’. Through his efforts and impactful initiatives, he has earned several national and international honours.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Bharath thanked Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Department of Youth Affairs, Government of India, and all officials involved in facilitating this opportunity. He acknowledged the support extended by the International Cooperation Division and other concerned authorities for entrusting him with the responsibility of representing the country and the voice of youth.

The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports selected three young leaders from across the country to participate in this international forum under the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

The 9th CICA Youth Council Meeting aims to strengthen youth engagement in addressing contemporary development challenges and to promote active participation in advancing sustainable urban development across the CICA region. The forum provides an important platform for delegates to exchange national experiences, discuss youth-led innovations, digital transformation, and civic engagement, while exploring solutions related to urban mobility, environmental sustainability, public safety, and smart city development.