Ilsur Metshin holds a meeting of the BRICS+ Association of Cities and Municipalities

The participants discussed the charter of the organization and further plans

Today, the meeting of the BRICS+ Association of Cities and Municipalities took place in Dubai (UAE), where the headquarters of the organization is located. The Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, a chairman of the organization, took part in the meeting.

«Our meeting will be the starting point for the effective work of the association, will launch promising initiatives and projects, will serve to build mutually beneficial cooperation and contribute to strengthening friendly relations between the BRICS countries and their partners», – the Mayor said.

He reminded that last week Kazan hosted the BRICS summit with participation of representatives of 36 countries and six international organizations.

The Association will consist of three main bodies

The participants discussed the charter of the association and agreed to make amendments to the document and to adopt it at the next general meeting.

The association will consist of a general assembly and a presidium led by the Secretary General. The general assembly should take place at least once a year.

The presidium will be chosen by the general assembly for a year and will include one representative from each member country and the BRICS partner country as well as the chairmen of relevant committees. The presidium will approve the development strategy and annual work plans of the association.

Ilsur Metshin suggests establishing seven specialized committees

«The purpose of our association is to establish practical partnerships between the cities of BRICS countries in various areas, including economic, social, cultural, and others, as well as to implement projects aimed at improving living standards for the population of these cities and municipalities», – Kazan Mayor noted. He suggested establishing committees to address these issues, such as the Committee on Ecology.

«The summit participants emphasized in the declaration that environmental issues are a great threat, causing significant damage to the economy and affecting the quality of life of citizens of the BRICS countries», – Ilsur Metshin explained.

He also emphasized the importance of sharing scientific and technical experience. The Digitalization Committee can play a role in this process, and the Smart- city BRICS Alliance, recently introduced at the Kazan Digital Week Forum, will be one of the initiatives within this framework.

Additionally, the Committee for Social Development will become an essential organization, organizing cultural and sporting events, launching projects in tourism and health care.

«We also propose establishing the Committee on Youth Policy and Education, as well as the Committee on Sustainable Development. These committees will discuss issues such as housing, transportation, landscaping, and the creation of green spaces», – said Ilsur Metshin.

The Mayor suggested establishing a separate Committee for Urban Planning to address issues related to architecture and the preservation of cultural heritage.

«In 2025, we will hold at least one General Assembly meeting in Brazil, during which the state will chair the BRICS», – said the head of Kazan.