New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) The ‘BRICS Urbanisation Forum’ comes at an important moment as many nations are experiencing rapid urban growth while addressing common challenges of housing, mobility, climate risk, municipal capacity, urban finance, and service delivery, Manohar Lal, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, said on Monday.

The Forum in New Delhi from June 11-12 will focus on broad priorities like inclusive urban development, climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure, stronger municipal institutions, and digital innovation for better urban governance.

The Forum is a key ministerial event under India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026, guided by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Humanity First’ and the Chairship theme, titled ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’.

The theme reflects India’s approach which gives centrality to people in the planning, governance, and development of cities.

The first day of the Forum will include the inaugural session and a high-level plenary on shared BRICS urban priorities. Delegates will also be taken on a field visit to selected sites in New Delhi, for exposure to India’s urban transformation.

The second day will include thematic panel discussions on the Forum’s priority areas. Member nations will be participating in the panel discussions to share their country experiences. In addition, there will also be bilateral discussions amongst nations, according to an official statement.

“The deliberations are expected to support shared policy solutions on urbanisation challenges, and strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries on building inclusive, resilient and people-centred cities,” it mentioned.

India looks forward to welcoming delegates from across the BRICS family to New Delhi, and to working together on cities that are truly for people, said the minister.

The BRICS Urbanisation Forum was first hosted by India in New Delhi in 2013, formally placing urbanisation on the BRICS cooperation agenda. India again hosted the Forum in 2016 at Visakhapatnam, with a focus on sustainable urban development, smart cities and urban resilience.

India hosted the Forum virtually, again in 2021, focusing on urban recovery in the aftermath of the global pandemic.

–IANS

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