BRICS Forum Advances Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures

Why in the News ?

The 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum concluded in New Delhi with the adoption of the Urban Ministerial Declaration, reaffirming member countries’ commitment to building inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and liveable cities through enhanced cooperation and people-centric urban development strategies.

Key Outcomes of the 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum

●  The forum was organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under India’s BRICS Chairship.

●  Theme of the forum: “Cities for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures.”

●  Member nations adopted the Urban Ministerial Declaration, emphasizing:

○   Inclusive urban growth

○   Sustainable development

○   Climate resilience

○   Equitable access to urban services

●  Special focus was placed on improving services for marginalised and vulnerable groups.

●  Participating countries included Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, along with Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE.

●  Delegations exchanged experiences and best practices in managing rapid urbanisation and urban governance challenges.

Major Areas of Urban Cooperation Discussed

●  Member countries highlighted innovative initiatives in:

○   Affordable housing

○   Slum redevelopment and upgrading

○   Public transportation systems

○   Climate adaptation measures aligned with the precautionary principle

○   Sustainable urban infrastructure requiring proper environmental clearances

●  Discussions also focused on:

○   Water security and sanitation

○   Solid waste management following the polluter pays principle

○   Urban renewal programmes

○   Land-use planning and management including coastal regulation zone considerations

○   Municipal governance reforms incorporating environmental democracy principles

●  Countries shared experiences in using digital technologies, data-driven governance, and smart city solutions for efficient urban administration.

●  The forum reinforced the importance of international cooperation in addressing challenges arising from rapid urban growth while ensuring a pollution free environment.

●  Member nations emphasized the need for robust environmental impact assessment frameworks and compliance with EIA notification requirements for urban development projects.

About BRICS and Urbanisation : ●  BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies: ○   Brazil○   Russia○   India○   China○   South Africa ●  Expanded BRICS membership now includes countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and UAE. ●  BRICS aims to strengthen cooperation in: ○   Economic development○   Trade and investment○   Sustainable development○   Urban governance○   Climate action ●  Urbanisation refers to the increasing proportion of population living in urban areas. ●  Key urban challenges include: ○   Housing shortages○   Infrastructure gaps○   Pollution○   Waste management○   Climate vulnerability ●  India’s major urban initiatives: ○   Smart Cities Mission○   AMRUT○   PM Awas Yojana (Urban)○   Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) ●      Sustainable urbanisation is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.