BRICS Urban
Research Centre Established
Ø The Forum presented a compilation of good
practices from BRICS nations, titled ‘Cities for People: Urban Stories from BRICS
Nations’.
Ø India’s proposal for the establishment
of the ‘BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network’, welcomed by member nations
1.
The 13th
BRICS Urbanisation Forum concluded on 12 June 2026 in New
Delhi with the adoption of a Ministerial
Declaration on inclusive, resilient and people-centred urban development.
2.
Hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under
India's BRICS Chairship, the Forum was held on the
theme “Cities for People:
BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures.”
3.
The event brought together ministers, senior officials and
urban experts from BRICS countries to discuss sustainable urbanisation and
future-ready cities.
4.
Union Minister Manohar
Lal inaugurated the Forum and highlighted:
o Inclusive urban
development,
o Climate- and
disaster-resilient infrastructure,
o Stronger urban
institutions, and
o Digital innovation as
pillars of India's urban strategy.
5.
During the inaugural session, the Minister released “India’s Urban Transformation: Stories
of Change,” showcasing successful urban initiatives from States
and Union Territories.
6.
Participating countries shared their urban development
experiences, priorities and future aspirations during a high-level plenary
session.
7.
Delegates visited key urban development projects in New
Delhi, including the New
Parliament Complex and Kartavya
Path precinct.
8.
Bilateral meetings were held among several countries,
including:
o India–Russia,
o India–Iran,
o Iran–Russia,
o Iran–China, and
o Russia–UAE.
9.
The first panel discussion focused on inclusive and resilient cities,
examining access to housing, mobility, livelihoods, public services and urban
resilience for vulnerable communities.
10.
Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Srinivas Katikithala
emphasized efficient and equitable use of resources to improve urban quality of
life.
11.
The second panel discussed strengthening urban institutions and scaling innovations,
covering municipal capacity-building, governance reforms, technology adoption
and service delivery improvements.
12.
Additional Secretary D.
Thara stressed that effective institutions are essential for
scaling successful urban innovations.
13.
The adopted Ministerial Declaration reaffirmed BRICS
members' commitment to:
o Inclusive and
sustainable urbanisation,
o Resilient and liveable
cities,
o Equitable access to
urban services, and
o Support for
marginalised and vulnerable populations.
14.
The Forum released a compilation of best practices titled “Cities for People: Urban Stories from
BRICS Nations.”
15.
BRICS countries welcomed India's proposal to establish the BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge
Network, a platform for:
o Applied urban research,
o Knowledge sharing,
o Peer learning,
o Exchange of city-level
solutions and implementation experiences.
16.
The proposed Network will operate through a virtual, low-cost and Chairship-led model, with coordination
passing annually to the next BRICS Chair country.
17.
Sudhakar Dalela commended the successful conduct of the
Forum and its contribution to strengthening BRICS cooperation on urban
development.
18.
The Forum concluded with a call for sustained institutional
collaboration and city-to-city cooperation, with outcomes expected to guide a
shared BRICS roadmap for building inclusive,
resilient, sustainable and well-governed cities.
[ABS News Service/13.06.2026]
The 13th BRICS
Urbanisation Forum concluded on 12 June, 2026 at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan, New Delhi,
with the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration on inclusive, resilient and people-centred
urban development.
Hosted by the Ministry
of Housing and Urban Affairs under India’s BRICS Chairship
in 2026, the two-day Forum brought together Ministers, senior government officials
and urban practitioners from BRICS member nations to deliberate on the theme, ‘Cities
for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures.’ The Forum
was formally inaugurated by Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Housing and Urban
Affairs. India hosted the Forum for the fourth time, after the editions held in
New Delhi in 2013, Visakhapatnam in 2016 and virtually in 2021.
In his inaugural
address, the Hon’ble Minister said that the Forum was an opportunity to bring the
urban agenda more firmly into the global development discourse, and highlighted
inclusive urban development, climate- and disaster-resilient infrastructure, strengthened
institutions and digital innovation as key anchors of India’s urban development
approach.
During the session,
Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs released ‘India’s
Urban Transformation: Stories of Change’, a publication presenting select urban
practices from 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 the Hon’ble Minister, where participating
countries shared national experiences, priorities and aspirations for the urban
future through their country statements.
Delegations also
undertook a curated field visit to select urban interventions in and around New
Delhi, including the New Parliament Complex and the India Gate–Kartavya Path precinct,
before the day concluded with a cultural programme and networking dinner.
On the sidelines,
bilateral meetings were held, including between India and Russia, India and Iran,
Iran and Russia, Iran and China, and Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
The second day
of the Forum featured two high-level panel discussions on inclusive and resilient urban
development, strengthening urban institutions, and scaling innovations for people-centred
cities. Both sessions were chaired by Tokhan Sahu, Hon’ble
Minister of State of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.
The first panel
discussion, ‘Building Inclusive Pathways for Resilient and Equitable Cities,’ was moderated
by Ms Roopa Mishra, Joint Secretary, International Cooperation, Ministry of Housing
and Urban Affairs. Representatives of BRICS member nations discussed approaches
to ensuring that urban growth improves access to housing, mobility, basic services,
livelihoods and public spaces, particularly for vulnerable and underserved communities.
Representing India during the session, Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry
of Housing and Urban Affairs, said, “The success of urban development lies not in
how much our cities consume, but in how efficiently and equitably they use resources
to improve quality of life.” The discussion also examined the need to integrate
social inclusion with climate resilience and disaster preparedness, so that cities
are better equipped to protect people, infrastructure and essential services.
The second panel
discussion, ‘Strengthening Institutions and Scaling Innovations for People-centred Cities,’
was moderated by Shalabh Goel, Managing Director, National Capital Region Transport
Corporation. Representing India during the session, Smt
D. Thara, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs noted, “The
future of urban governance lies not in isolated innovations, but in institutions
that can scale them.” Representatives of BRICS member nations exchanged experiences
on strengthening urban institutions, building municipal capacity, improving coordination
across levels of government, and using technology and data to enhance service delivery.
The session also considered how successful local innovations could be adapted and
scaled across different urban contexts.
During the valedictory
session, BRICS member nations adopted the Ministerial Declaration. The Declaration
highlights key priorities shared by member nations and reaffirms commitment to advancing
people-centred urban development. It emphasises the importance of creating inclusive,
sustainable, resilient and liveable cities that ensure equitable access to urban
services, particularly for marginalised groups.
Sudhakar Dalela,
BRICS Sherpa and Secretary, External Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, commended
the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on the successful conclusion of the Forum.
The Forum also
presented a compilation of good practices from BRICS nations, titled ‘Cities for
People: Urban Stories from BRICS Nations’.
To take forward
the learnings of the BRICS Urbanisation Forum, and for continued cooperation, the
member nations welcomed India’s proposal for the establishment of the ‘BRICS
Urban Research and Knowledge Network’, for applied urban research, knowledge
sharing, and peer-to-peer learning.
The Network has
been designed as a Chairship-led, institutionally connected
platform to provide a practical and sustained mechanism for urban cooperation within
BRICS. It will support systematic knowledge-sharing and mutual learning, while helping
bridge the gap between policy and implementation through the exchange of practical
solutions, city-level experiences and operational lessons. Operating through a virtual,
low-cost and flexible model, the Network will be coordinated each year by the lead
institution of the BRICS Chair country, with activities and outputs handed over
to the next Chairship.
Srinivas Katikithala,
Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, presented a summary of the two-day
Forum, highlighting the principal themes that emerged from the country statements,
panel discussions, bilateral engagements and deliberations on the Declaration.
A valedictory video
presented glimpses of the proceedings of the 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum.
In the valedictory
address, Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, emphasised
the value of the Forum as a platform for shared learning and practical cooperation
among BRICS member nations. He called for the discussions held in New Delhi to be
carried forward through sustained institutional engagement, exchange among cities
and continued cooperation beyond India’s Chairship.
The outcomes of
the two-day Forum will contribute to a shared roadmap for BRICS nations to build
cities that are inclusive, resilient, sustainable and well governed.