PIB Tracker13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum concludes with a Declaration and a proposed BRICS urban knowledge network
The two-day forum under India's chairship adopted a Ministerial Declaration on inclusive, resilient, people-centred cities, and welcomed India's proposal for a BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network.
What happened
- The 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum concluded at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan, New Delhi, with the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration on inclusive, resilient and people-centred urban development.
- Hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under India's BRICS Chairship 2026 on the theme 'Cities for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures', the two-day forum brought together ministers and practitioners from BRICS nations.
- Member nations welcomed India's proposal to establish a 'BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network' — a platform to share urban research and good practices.
- The forum presented a compilation of good practices, 'Cities for People: Urban Stories from BRICS Nations', and India released its own publication, 'India's Urban Transformation: Stories of Change'.
- India hosted the forum for the fourth time (after New Delhi 2013, Visakhapatnam 2016 and virtually in 2021), with the Minister highlighting inclusive urban development, climate- and disaster-resilient infrastructure, strong institutions and digital innovation.
For Prelims
- BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa — expanded since 2024-25 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE (plus partner countries). India holds the 2026 chairship.
- India's BRICS Chairship 2026: Theme — 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'; the Urbanisation Forum is one sectoral track delivering a Ministerial Declaration.
- BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network (proposed): India's proposal at this forum for an institutional platform to share urban research/good practices among BRICS members.
- Ministerial Declaration: A negotiated outcome document expressing shared priorities — politically significant but non-binding (BRICS has no charter/treaty enforcement).
- India's urban missions: AMRUT, Smart Cities Mission, PMAY-Urban, SBM-Urban — the domestic 'stories of change' India showcases; relevant for urban-governance answers.
- Global urban frameworks: SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), the New Urban Agenda (Habitat III, 2016) and the Sendai Framework on disaster risk — the international context for 'resilient cities'.
- Don't confuse: A forum Declaration is a non-binding political outcome — not a treaty; and the BRICS Urbanisation Forum is a sectoral ministerial track, distinct from the leaders' BRICS Summit and the New Development Bank.
For UPSC: The 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum concluded with a Ministerial Declaration on inclusive, resilient cities and welcomed India's proposed BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network, under India's 2026 chairship. Anchor the expanded BRICS, India's chairship theme, the proposed knowledge network, India's urban missions as exportable practice, SDG 11/New Urban Agenda, and the non-binding nature of Declarations.
What it is NOT: A BRICS Ministerial Declaration is a non-binding political outcome reflecting shared priorities — NOT a treaty or enforceable agreement. The Urbanisation Forum is a sectoral ministerial track under India's chairship, distinct from the leaders' BRICS Summit and the New Development Bank.
For Mains
Syllabus: GS2.18 · GS2.15 · Linkage L2
Anchor
Shaping a Global South urban agenda — India using its BRICS chairship to institutionalise knowledge-sharing on inclusive, resilient cities.
Substantiation (data)
13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum Declaration; India's proposed 'BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network'; 'Cities for People' compilation; India's fourth hosting.
Exemplification
Cite India's urban missions and the proposed knowledge network as examples of India exporting urban good practice and leading Global South cooperation.
Problematisation
Declarations are non-binding; converting shared priorities into financed action across diverse BRICS members and Indian cities is the real test.
Way-forward
Operationalise the knowledge network, mobilise NDB financing, strengthen municipal capacity, and embed climate-resilient, people-centred planning.
Position
Government stance: India champions inclusive, resilient, people-centred urbanisation and brings the urban agenda into the global development discourse via BRICS.
Deploys into: BRICS & multilateral cooperation · urban development & resilient cities (SDG 11) · India's Global South leadership · municipal governance (GS2.18 global groupings, GS2.15 governance/urban service delivery).
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs · 2026-06-12 · PRID 2272320 · PIB source ↗