Mumbai To Host BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2026 On August 11-12, Urban Leaders To Discuss Climate And Smart Governance

Mumbai Prepares For Two-Day BRICS Urban Development Conclave

Mumbai is set to host the BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2026 on August 11 and 12, bringing together policymakers, urban administrators, climate specialists and city development experts from BRICS nations and partner countries.

The two-day event will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel and will focus on practical solutions for some of the biggest challenges facing modern cities. Discussions will cover climate resilience, coastal flooding, urban heat, public transport, air pollution, affordable housing and the use of artificial intelligence in urban governance.

The conclave is being held under the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” It aims to encourage cities to share successful ideas and work together on sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Coastal Resilience Takes Center Stage

Mumbai's coastal location makes climate resilience a key part of the conclave. The opening session will focus on “Protecting Coastal Cities: Managing Sea-Level Rise, Coastal Erosion, and Flood Risks.”

The session will examine how cities can prepare for rising sea levels, coastal erosion and increasing flood risks. Retired IAS officer Sanjay Ubale, Indonesia's Nurina Widagdo, Shanghai Smart City Development Institute President Sheng Xuefeng and Egypt's Dr. Alaaeldin Sayed Ewase are among the speakers.

The discussion is expected to provide valuable international perspectives for Mumbai and other coastal cities facing growing climate-related risks.

Experts To Discuss Ways To Cool Growing Cities

Urban heat will also receive special attention at the event. The session titled “Cooling Cities” will explore nature-based solutions, climate-sensitive urban planning and better city design.

Climate adaptation expert Dr. Vishwas Chitale, Gates Foundation's Dr. Oommen John and Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Commissioner Abhinav Goyal are among the participants.

The session will look at how cities can reduce heat exposure while improving public spaces and creating healthier urban environments.

Mumbai And Maharashtra Transport Priorities In Focus

Transport will be another major topic at the BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave. The session will examine integrated and low-carbon transport systems that can support growing urban populations while reducing emissions.

Maharashtra Institution for Transformation CEO Praveen Pardeshi and MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee are among the key participants representing the Mumbai and Maharashtra perspective.

Experts from China, Brazil and Russia will also share international experiences in developing efficient and sustainable transportation networks.

Air Pollution And Cleaner Cities On The Agenda

Air quality management will form another important part of the two-day discussions. Experts from India, China and South Africa will discuss ways to tackle vehicle emissions, industrial pollution and fine particulate matter, including PM2.5.

The session will focus on practical approaches that cities can adopt to improve air quality and protect public health while continuing to support economic growth.

Inclusive Housing To Get Special Attention

Housing and urban regeneration will also feature prominently at the conclave. The session will explore ways to make housing more inclusive while involving local communities in urban redevelopment.

MHADA Vice-President and CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal will participate in the discussion, along with experts from Malaysia and Iran.

The session is expected to highlight the importance of creating housing solutions that support both affordability and better living conditions as cities expand.

AI To Shape The Future Of Urban Governance

The concluding session will focus on the growing role of artificial intelligence in city administration. Experts will discuss how AI can improve public services, support better decision-making and help governments respond more effectively to citizens' needs.

Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary Aseem Gupta and experts from India and Russia are among those scheduled to participate.

As cities become more technology-driven, the discussion will look at how AI can be used responsibly to make urban governance faster, smarter and more responsive.

BRICS Conclave To Strengthen Global Urban Cooperation

The BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2026 is expected to provide a platform for cities to exchange ideas, share successful governance practices and explore opportunities for international cooperation.

For Mumbai, the event offers an opportunity to showcase its urban development experience while learning from cities across BRICS and partner countries. With climate change, mobility, housing and technology becoming increasingly important to urban planning, the conclave could help strengthen cooperation on practical solutions for future-ready cities.

The two-day gathering is expected to reinforce the shared goal of building cities that are resilient, inclusive, innovative and sustainable.