BRICS forum in Moscow highlights sustainable urban development

The BRICS Urban Future Forum held in Moscow last week brought global stakeholders together to discuss creative ideas and practical solutions for sustainable urban development.

The forum, held from Sept. 18 to 19, attracted more than 13,000 participants from over 30 countries. The forum involved a range of prominent speakers, including mayors from major cities in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, to discuss and share best practices to make the urban development more sustainable.

With projections indicating many cities in the BRICS countries will evolve into mega ones, the forum emphasized the importance of exchanging ideas for innovative solutions.

"I was invited to join the conference as a representative from China, from Shenzhen. I'm the chairman of the Hiland International Talent Group. My topic is how entrepreneurship innovation can thrive in big cities. We have quite a few very interesting discussions among all the different panelists. My contribution to the team is, we felt particularly, when this world being divided more and more, we need to work together to bridge the world, and specifically talent will play a very critical role," said Zhai Bin, chairman of Hiland International Talent Group.

The forum reinforced a collective commitment among BRICS countries to address urban challenges, fostering a vision for a more sustainable future amid ongoing global uncertainties.

"So we can use these kind of funds to start some of the projects because they are bringing some of the others, some technological partners from other countries. It is not always possible to find right partner from another country, and another city. These European Union's funds bring cities together for creative solutions [for] their common problems," said Erol Ozguner, Chief Information Officer of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

"We had the energy summit where all the BRICS nations are represented, and where we had a great discussion of how sustainable development is very important. And China leading in one of the largest lithium battery manufacturing and electric vehicles is something. The minister council who represents India really said it aptly that we are ready to share that technology and we're ready to expand and grow to make sure the world is greener," said Sameep Shastri, Vice Chairman of India's BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

BRICS forum in Moscow highlights sustainable urban development

Russia reported on Saturday that its forces attacked several Ukrainian military targets over the past day, while Ukraine on the same day claimed it hit Russian oil facilities.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in its latest report that over the past 24 hours, the Russian forces conducted strikes on Ukrainian energy and transport infrastructure, drone storage sites and fuel depots, temporary deployment points of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 145 locations. The ministry said Russian air defense forces shot down 568 drones over the past day.

Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on the same day that a total of 151 combat engagements were reported on the battlefield over the past day. It said the Ukrainian forces launched attacks on multiple Russian troops and an equipment concentration area and drone control points, and shot down 2,104 operational-tactical level Russian drones. The Ukrainian forces also hit four key Russian oil facilities on Saturday, said the report.

Ukraine's Security Service (SSU) said in a social media post on Saturday that it had hit three Russian warships in Crimea. The SSU said that the hit warships included the Russian Navy's large landing ships Yamal and Azov,and a third warship of an unspecified type. Other reports said that a Russian Project 21980 anti-sabotage boat "may have been hit."

According to the SSU, Ukraine also launched drones to attack Russia's communication systems, a radar station, and an oil base in Crimea.

Russia has not responded to these reports.

Russia claims striking multiple Ukrainian targets; Ukraine reports hitting Russian oil facilities