11 August,2026 01:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Eknath Shinde addresses the BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2026 in Mumbai on Tuesday. PIC/X
BRICS countries should share advanced technology, expertise, knowledge, and information with each other to accelerate global development and enable cities to achieve sustainable growth, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde said on Tuesday.
Shinde, who was the chief guest at the BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2026 in Mumbai, called for greater sharing of experiences, technologies, and innovations among cities of BRICS countries to build resilient, innovative, collaborative, and sustainable cities focused on citizens' needs.
The two-day conclave, organised by Mumbai First, was inaugurated at Worli in the presence of Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma.
"BRICS countries should exchange advanced technology, experience, knowledge and information with each other. Such mutual cooperation will bring countries closer, give real impetus to global development and make it possible for every city to achieve sustainable development," Shinde said.
He stated that cities are not merely structures made of bricks and concrete but are the "growth engines" of a country's economic progress. Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, Shinde said urbanisation should be viewed not as a problem but as a major opportunity.
"Since the challenges faced by cities today are common, solutions must also be sought beyond geographical boundaries," he stated.
Referring to the words of Sant Tukaram Maharaj - "Ekameka sahya karu, avaghe dharu supanth" - Shinde called upon cities in BRICS countries to cooperate and collectively pave the way for development.
Representatives of cities from BRICS countries, mayors, urban planning experts, and other prominent figures from the urban development sector are participating in the conclave.
Describing Mumbai as the "capital of India's aspirations", Shinde said the city is known for respecting hard work, embracing diversity and displaying resilience in the face of crises.
"Hosting a BRICS conference in a world-class city like Mumbai is a matter of pride for Maharashtra," he stated, urging cities from different countries to learn from each other, share experiences and give a new direction to future partnerships.
Shinde said rapid urbanisation, climate change, floods, heatwaves, traffic congestion, pollution, water management, and affordable housing are common challenges faced by major cities across the world.
He stressed that addressing these challenges requires cooperation and exchange of experiences that go beyond national borders.
Urban development should not be limited to tall buildings or attractive skylines, Shinde said. The real indicators of successful urban planning are ease of travel, access to safe housing and clean air, better opportunities for children and the ability of the administration to stand firmly with citizens during disasters.
Urban development must be linked to the dignity of citizens and the opportunities available to them in the future, he said.
Shinde stated that Maharashtra is taking steps towards sustainable urban development, stronger infrastructure, digital governance and climate-resilient planning.
He said cities across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Nashik, Thane, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, are witnessing renewed momentum in areas such as metro rail, roads, drainage, redevelopment, affordable housing, digital services, green infrastructure, and disaster management.
"The central objective behind all this development is to improve the quality of life of citizens," Shinde said.
He added that inclusive development must ensure equal opportunities, easy access to services, quality infrastructure, and greater public trust, while ensuring that the benefits of development reach the last person in society and create new opportunities for future generations.
Shinde described climate change as a serious challenge for a coastal city like Mumbai. Rising sea levels, the threat of flooding and increasing temperatures affect not only citizens' safety but also the city's economy, he said.
Against this backdrop, the state government is taking concrete measures in areas including flood control, coastal protection, expansion of green spaces, rainwater management, sustainable transport, and technology-based planning, he said.
He noted that cities in BRICS countries have considerable experience in public transport, digital governance, disaster management, green finance and sustainable infrastructure.
Technologies such as digital twins, AI-based traffic management and smart governance are being effectively used in cities across the world. Bringing these experiences together on a common platform presents a major opportunity for the development of future cities, Shinde said.
He also stressed that cities should focus on cooperation and empowerment rather than competing with one another.
Shinde said Maharashtra is a reliable destination for investment, has a strong industrial ecosystem, remains open to innovation and is always ready for cooperation.
"Cities are not merely administrative boundaries but laboratories of innovation and engines of sustainable development," he said, emphasising the need to expand international cooperation for urban development.
