Hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026, the two-day Forum brings together Ministers, senior government officials and urban practitioners from Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, to deliberate on critical urban development priorities.
India is hosting the BRICS Urbanisation Forum for the fourth time, following the editions held in New Delhi in 2013, Visakhapatnam in 2016 and virtually in 2021.
The Forum focused on the theme, ‘Cities for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures.’ Inaugurating the Forum, Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs said, “Under India’s BRICS Chairship, this Forum is an opportunity to bring the urban agenda more firmly into the global development conversation.” He highlighted the anchors of India’s development story as inclusive urban development, climate- and disaster-resilient infrastructure, strengthening institutions, and digital innovation.
Welcoming the delegations, Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, set the context for the Forum, stating, “Over the years, this Forum has enabled member countries to exchange good practices, deepen mutual understanding of each other’s systems, and build the trust required for sustained cooperation.”
During the inaugural session, Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, released ‘India’s Urban Transformation: Stories of Change’, a publication presenting selected urban practices and experiences presented by India’s states and Union Territories, across the four priority areas of the Forum.
The inaugural session was followed by a high-level plenary. Chaired by Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, the session provided a platform for member nations to deliberate on shared urban challenges, prospects, and shared aspirations for the future, showcased through their country statements.
On the sidelines of the BRICS Urbanisation Forum, a bilateral meeting was held between India and the Russian Federation, co-chaired by Shri Tokhan Sahu, Hon’ble Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, and Mr Yury Mutsenek, Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation. The meeting provided an opportunity for substantive and forward-looking discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development.
Both sides reviewed the progress of discussions on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Urban Development and expressed their commitment to expediting its finalization and conclusion at the earliest. The deliberations encompassed a broad range of areas of mutual interest, including urban planning, affordable housing, municipal infrastructure, sustainable construction technologies, capacity building, and the exchange of best practices in urban governance.
Bilateral discussions were also conducted between Iran and Russia, Iran and China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
The delegations subsequently undertook a curated field to select urban interventions in and around New Delhi, offering first-hand exposure to India’s urban transformation, including the New Parliament Complex and the India Gate–Kartavya Path precinct.
The day concluded with a cultural programme and networking dinner. (PIB)
