India will host the 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum in New Delhi on June 11-12, bringing together ministers, policymakers and urban experts from member countries to discuss strategies for building inclusive, resilient and people-centric cities amid rapid urbanisation.
Announcing the event on Monday, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the forum would be held under the theme "Cities for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures", reflecting India's approach of placing citizens at the centre of urban planning, governance and development.
The forum is one of the key ministerial engagements under India's BRICS Chairship in 2026 and aligns with the broader chairship theme, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability", guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Humanity First".
India has played a prominent role in shaping the BRICS urban agenda since hosting the first Urbanisation Forum in New Delhi in 2013, which formally brought urbanisation into the grouping's cooperation framework. The country subsequently hosted the forum in Visakhapatnam in 2016 and virtually in 2021, focusing on sustainable development, smart cities and post-pandemic urban recovery.
With the 2026 edition, India will host the forum for the fourth time.
Addressing a pre-event press conference, Khattar said the meeting comes at a critical juncture as BRICS nations grapple with common urban challenges arising from rapid population growth, including affordable housing, mobility, climate risks, municipal capacity, urban finance and service delivery.
"The forum will focus on inclusive urban development, climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure, strengthening municipal institutions and leveraging digital innovation for better urban governance," he said.
All 11 BRICS member countries have been invited to participate at the ministerial level. The two-day event will feature ministers, senior government officials, urban practitioners and experts from across the bloc.
The opening day will include an inaugural session and a high-level plenary discussion on shared urban priorities among BRICS countries. Delegates will also undertake field visits to selected locations in New Delhi to gain first-hand exposure to India's urban transformation initiatives.
The second day will feature thematic panel discussions on priority areas, with member countries sharing experiences and best practices. Bilateral meetings among participating nations are also scheduled on the sidelines of the event.
According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the deliberations are expected to contribute to policy solutions for urbanisation-related challenges and deepen cooperation among BRICS countries in developing resilient, inclusive and people-centred cities.
The event is expected to reinforce urban development as an important pillar of BRICS cooperation, particularly as emerging economies seek sustainable pathways to manage rapid urban expansion while improving quality of life and strengthening climate resilience.
