Moscow Strengthens International Municipal Dialogue
On September 10, a roundtable dedicated to issues of international municipal cooperation among BRICS countries was held in Moscow.
The roundtable was organized by leading state and public institutions: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, the All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government (VARMSU), the Government of Moscow and St. Petersburg, the Moscow City Duma, the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.
The BRICS Forum is becoming a key platform for bringing together representatives of government, business, and expert communities from BRICS+ countries and friendly states. It creates a space for new international projects and partnerships, helps build trust between cities and regions, and sets the direction for future initiatives in the economy, science, culture, and people’s diplomacy.
Vyacheslav Manuilov, Deputy Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, took part in the roundtable. In his remarks, he noted that Moscow is ready to play a leading role in strengthening global municipal dialogue. “For us, it is a natural step to be open — not only to teach, but also to constantly learn from our partners,” Vyacheslav Manuilov emphasized. “After all, every visit and every agreement brings something new, creates a space for respectful, equal dialogue, and strengthens the global urban community.”
Special attention at the meeting was given to the activities of the All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government (VARMSU). Irina Guseva, Co‑Chair of the organization, spoke about agreements signed over the past year with partners from Brazil, Ethiopia, India, China, Kazakhstan, Iran, and South American countries. She stressed that such initiatives are becoming not only a tool for business interaction but also a manifestation of people’s diplomacy: it is direct contacts between mayors that help build trust and strengthen fraternal ties between cities.
Key topics of the roundtable included the development of parliamentary communications between capitals, expanding youth cooperation and creative industries, collaboration in science and education, and finding joint solutions in urban planning, infrastructure, and ecology. Participants noted that it is the municipal level that creates a solid foundation for sustainable and equitable international dialogue.
The International Municipal BRICS Forum will take place on October 29–31 in St. Petersburg. The event will serve as a communication and business platform for exchanging experience, advanced technologies, and effective governance practices. This year, more than 100 countries and over 5,000 participants are expected to attend. The business program will feature over 15 tracks covering economics, innovative development, investment and municipal diplomacy, development, urban planning, and integrated territorial development. The forum will be a unique opportunity to share practices, discuss the prospects for “municipalities of the future,” and lay the groundwork for long‑term international partnerships.