Mumbai gears up for BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave

Mumbai is set to host the BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave on August 11-12, 2026, bringing together representatives from BRICS cities to discuss climate resilience, urban mobility, innovation and sustainable development.

The conclave will provide a platform for city leaders to exchange ideas and best practices on urban governance, infrastructure and future-ready city planning.

Addressing common urban challenges

Rapid urbanisation across BRICS nations has positioned cities as major drivers of economic growth while also increasing challenges related to climate risk, infrastructure, inequality and governance.

Climate change has emerged as a major risk, with cities facing rising temperatures, extreme weather events, flooding and water stress. Coastal and riverine cities are particularly vulnerable, highlighting the need for integrated and nature-based approaches to strengthen resilience.

At the same time, fragmented planning, inadequate infrastructure and limited mobility integration have contributed to congestion, urban sprawl and operational inefficiencies, underlining the need for future-ready urban systems.

BRICS cities also continue to face socio-economic disparities, with large sections of the population lacking access to adequate housing, basic services and healthcare. These challenges are further intensified by climate impacts, increasing the need for inclusive and human-centric development.

Constraints in governance capacity, municipal finance and institutional coordination also continue to affect effective urban management. The use of innovative financing mechanisms and digital technologies is expected to play a key role in improving urban governance and service delivery.

International platform for collaboration

Against this backdrop, the BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2026 aims to provide a collaborative platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and partnership-building among participating cities.

The international conclave is being convened by Mumbai First in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra and the Government of India.

Scheduled to be held in Mumbai on August 11-12, 2026, the conclave seeks to promote coordinated and solution-oriented approaches to sustainable, resilient and inclusive urban development.