Moscow to Host the VI BRICS International Municipal Forum
The VI BRICS International Municipal Forum will take place at the Expocentre Central Exhibition Complex on August 27–28, 2024. The Forum will serve as a major international platform where government officials and business leaders will exchange best practices and address key issues of municipal cooperation. The event is organized with the support of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federation Council, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, and the Roscongress Foundation. The Government of Moscow is the Forum’s general partner.
Delegations from 126 countries are expected to participate in the Forum, along with representatives from 89 Russian regions. More than 5,000 participants from 500 cities around the world will discuss pressing topics related to the economy, digital technologies, the environment, urban infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, education, and culture. The Forum will foster direct engagement between municipal authorities and the business community and will create opportunities for establishing new business partnerships. This is of particular interest to small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to expand into markets such as China, India, the Gulf states, and other global regions.
The Forum’s program includes over 70 events. Through special sessions, panels, and roundtable discussions, participants will explore issues such as municipal infrastructure development, digital transformation, the achievement of sustainable development goals, and the investment appeal of major cities. The Department for External Economic and International Relations (DEEIR) of Moscow will co-organize the session “Creating Innovative Platforms for Continuous Dialogue Between BRICS Cities and Regions” and the roundtable “The Role of Local Self-Government in Tourism Development.”
A large-scale exhibition will accompany the Forum. Key sections will include “Smart City,” “Urban Environment: A City for People. Retail,” “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies,” “Investment and Public-Private Partnerships,” and “ESG,” among others. The exhibition program will also feature the IV International Information Technology Exhibition “DIGITECH+” and the IV International Exhibition “Engineering: Strategies and Technologies.”
Last year’s BRICS IMF was held in St. Petersburg and attracted more than 7,000 participants, including international guests from over 200 cities and representatives of 85 Russian regions. The event hosted 112 business program sessions and resulted in the signing of 210 cooperation agreements.