Mumbai to host international BRICS meet starting 14th

The city is set to host the BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2016, between April 14 and 16. Delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are expected to attend it. The three-day event is an initiative of Mumbai First, a think tank, along with the support of the central and state government.

Speaking about the conclave, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “BRICS is a forum which will open a new door for urban planning and management where all promising economies, co-operate and collaborate for overall development of the countries.

In a federal structure, not only government-to-government but also people-to-people connect is also a must. This forum will allow global cities of BRICS to cooperate and collaborate to share solutions and knowledge on similar urban problems.”

Further, the event will see major participation from China as the country is sending more than 30 delegates including of urban planners, governors and city mayors. There will also be 20 delegates from Russia, six from South Africa and five from Brazil who will discuss the best practices and partnership in offering solutions for urban planning and designing.

Mr Fadnavis also said that today urbanisation was inevitable, and on the one hand one had to work on making rural development sustainable and on the other also plan in a balanced manner for urban areas. Sixty per cent of the state today lives in urban or semi-urban areas and planning and management is a crucial factor for the state.

The state will also host the delegates and will showcase its culture in the form of a cultural event on the evening of April 14. Leaders from cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Beijing, Shangai will also be present with the ambassador of Brazil who will be present for the event via video-conference.

India took the chairmanship of BRICS on February 15 this year from Russia and its tenure will last till December 31, 2016. The ministry of external affairs will also host the eighth BRICS Summit at Goa on October 15 and 16 this year.