South Africa to Host BRICS Urbanisation Forum in 2023

The BRICS Urbanisation Forum is set to take place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, from July 26 to 27, 2023. The theme of the event is “Advancing urban resilience for sustainable cities and towns for future generations” and will be led by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Ms. Thembi Nkadimeng. The forum will provide a platform for representatives from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to address crucial urbanisation issues and offer policy advice to the leaders of the BRICS countries.

Key Areas of Focus

The forum will address pressing urbanisation challenges and focus on key areas such as developing sustainable urban economies, devising livelihood survival strategies for urban environments, and placing critical urbanisation issues on the global agenda of the BRICS member countries.

Showcasing Urbanisation Achievements

South Africa aims to showcase its urbanisation achievements and highlight successful projects that have contributed to sustainable development and inclusive growth. The forum recognises the need for cities to become centres of innovation and creativity to tackle urbanisation challenges such as rural-urban migration, climate change, limited resources, congestion, rising crime rates, urban poverty, and the need for efficient service delivery.

Thematic Areas of Discussion

The forum will feature panel discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions centred around various thematic areas such as localising the UN Sustainable Development Goals, digital transformation, sustainable human settlements, climate change, urban water resilience, and urban resilience from a governance perspective. These exchanges will contribute to developing effective policies, strategies, and interventions tailored to each nation’s specific circumstances.

Showcase of eThekwini Metro

The eThekwini Metro has been selected to host the forum, showcasing its response to urban resilience, including its response to the devastating floods experienced in 2022 and various other urban resilience initiatives. The Metro, as a DDM pilot site, will also demonstrate the role of the DDM and the District One Plan as comprehensive blueprints for integrated and sustainable development, bringing together all government and society to collaborate and align efforts toward achieving common goals.

Past Editions of the Forum

Established in 2013, the BRICS Urbanisation Forum aims to bring together stakeholders from the BRICS countries to place key urbanisation issues on the agenda for action. The previous edition of the forum took place online under the presidency of China in 2022.

As South Africa hosts the BRICS Urbanisation Forum in 2023, it represents an opportunity for the country to share insights, exchange best practices, and foster collaboration on urban development challenges among the BRICS member countries. The forum will enable the participating countries to develop effective policies and interventions that address urbanisation challenges and support sustainable urban development.