The International Municipal BRICS Forum has concluded with the signing of more than 70 cooperation agreements, underscoring a new push for intercity and cross-border collaboration among member and partner nations.
Officials said representatives from 75 countries attended the annual gathering, which focused on expanding financial, technological and cultural partnerships across the BRICS framework and beyond.
At a panel titled “Russia-China: Urban Diplomacy in an Era of Change,” participants highlighted the deepening economic relationship between the two countries. Du Jianqiang, head of the Zhengzhou Municipal People’s Government in China, noted that bilateral trade between Russia and China has reached about $104 billion so far this year.
“Within BRICS, we plan to build strong relationships that will bear fruit in the future — particularly in innovation, the economy and high technology,” Du said. “We are seeing positive momentum in science, education and industry, and we want to create the same solid platform for the development of our relations.”
Inna Svyatenko, deputy chair of Russia’s Federation Council, drew attention to the expanding influence of the creative industries, which now account for more than 3 percent of global GDP, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
“For us, the export of creative industries abroad — animation, fashion, crafts and digital services — is extremely important,” she said.
Delegates from South Africa and Rwanda also underscored the need for cooperation in digital transformation, environmental initiatives and volunteer programs, describing them as key areas for sustainable urban development within the broader BRICS framework.
