IYESF Founder Shares Vision for Purpose-Driven Innovation at BRICS CCI Youth Leadership Dialogue 3.0

New Delhi | 7 August 2026 — The BRICS CCI Youth Leadership Dialogue 3.0, organized by the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI), brought together a distinguished gathering of young leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, industry experts, and business executives to exchange ideas on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-border collaboration.

The second day of the dialogue, held on 7 August 2026, featured an engaging series of keynote addresses, leadership conversations, and interactive sessions focused on purpose-driven entrepreneurship, leadership, and the future of innovation.

The day's leadership sessions commenced with remarks by Mr. Sameep Shastri, Chairman of BRICS CCI and President of the BRICS CCI Young Leaders Vertical, followed by a keynote address by Mr. Abhijeet Mahrotra, Head of Revenue at upGrad.

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Akil Mohammad Highlights the Power of Purpose-Driven Leadership

One of the key highlights of the day was the panel discussion titled “Leadership Beyond the Boardroom: Lessons from Business Leaders.”

Mr. Akil Mohammad, Co-Founder of AkaCorp Global Tech and Chairman & Founder of the International Youth Edu-Skills Foundation (IYESF), participated in the discussion alongside an esteemed panel of business and industry leaders.

During the session, Mr. Mohammad shared his perspective on the relationship between business growth, social impact, leadership, and technology-led entrepreneurship.

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He emphasized that sustainable businesses are those that successfully combine impact with revenue generation, noting that the two objectives are not contradictory but can complement and strengthen each other.

“Businesses that create impact while generating revenue are the ones that have the potential to become truly sustainable and long-lasting. Impact and profitability can complement each other when a business is built with the right purpose and strategy.”

Speaking about entrepreneurship and opportunity creation, Mr. Mohammad highlighted the importance of recognizing opportunities at the right moment and being prepared to act on them.

He also stressed the importance of self-awareness in leadership, encouraging entrepreneurs to understand their own strengths and weaknesses and to build teams and partnerships that complement their capabilities.

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“Being at the right place at the right time can create an opportunity, but a leader must be prepared to recognize and capitalize on it. Understanding your own strengths and weaknesses is equally important. The right partners can complement your weaknesses and help transform an opportunity into sustainable growth.”

Investing in the Skills of Tomorrow's Youth

With youth development and education forming a central part of his work through IYESF, Mr. Mohammad also highlighted the importance of continuous learning and skill development in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.

He encouraged young people to focus not only on academic qualifications but also on acquiring practical, emerging, and future-oriented skills that will enable them to remain competitive in a rapidly changing world.

“The future will belong to those who continue to learn, adapt, and develop new skills. Young people must invest in themselves today to remain competitive in tomorrow's economy.”

Building a Collaborative Future Across BRICS

The panel concluded with an engaging exchange of perspectives among business leaders, entrepreneurs, young professionals, and delegates. Discussions reinforced the importance of collaborative leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-border partnerships in addressing emerging opportunities across the BRICS ecosystem.

For IYESF, participation in the BRICS CCI Youth Leadership Dialogue 3.0 reflects its continued commitment to empowering young people with knowledge, skills, leadership opportunities, and platforms for international engagement.

The dialogue also highlighted a broader message: the future of business and innovation will increasingly depend on leaders who can combine entrepreneurial ambition with social purpose, continuous learning, and meaningful collaboration.