India will host the 13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum in New Delhi on June 11–12, 2026, bringing together ministers, policymakers, urban experts, and senior officials from BRICS member nations to discuss sustainable and inclusive urban development. The announcement was made by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal during a pre-event press conference.
Held under the theme “Cities for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures,” the forum is a key ministerial event under India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026. The event aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Humanity First” and the Chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
India has played a significant role in advancing urban cooperation within BRICS. It first hosted the Urbanisation Forum in New Delhi in 2013, helping place urbanisation on the BRICS agenda. Subsequent editions hosted by India in 2016 and 2021 focused on sustainable urban development, smart cities, resilience, and post-pandemic urban recovery.
The upcoming forum comes at a time when BRICS countries are experiencing rapid urban growth while facing common challenges such as affordable housing, mobility, climate risks, urban financing, municipal governance, and service delivery. Discussions will focus on inclusive urban development, climate-resilient infrastructure, strengthening municipal institutions, and leveraging digital technologies to improve urban governance.
The two-day event will feature an inaugural session, a high-level plenary on shared urban priorities, thematic panel discussions, bilateral meetings, and field visits showcasing New Delhi’s urban transformation initiatives. All eleven BRICS member nations have been invited to participate at the ministerial level.
The deliberations are expected to promote policy collaboration, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries in building resilient, sustainable, and people-centric cities. India aims to use the forum as a platform to advance collective urban solutions and foster stronger international partnerships for the future of urban development.
