From October 29 to 31, 2025, the international municipal forum of BRICS (IMF BRICS) will take place in St. Petersburg. This is an important platform for exchanging experiences, new technologies, and effective solutions aimed at the sustainable development of cities and regions, as well as strengthening ties between municipal authorities of BRICS+ countries and other friendly states.
The forum has established itself as a unique space where leaders in municipal governance, business representatives, and experts from over 70 countries and 2000 cities around the world meet. Last year, in 2024, the event held in Moscow gathered about 6000 delegates from 101 countries, setting a record and confirming the Forum's status as one of the largest international events in the field of municipal cooperation.
The main goal of the Forum is to promote sustainable urban development in accordance with the UN Agenda for 2030, as well as to strengthen partnerships between municipalities of BRICS countries and other states. Participants will be able to exchange best practices in areas such as digitalization, ecology, transport infrastructure, and social policy.
The organization of the event is supported by numerous Russian agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federation Council, the Presidential Administration, as well as the Governments of Moscow and St. Petersburg, the All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government, and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.
Since 2020, the international municipal forum of BRICS has been included in the official event plan of the countries chairing the association. In 2022, it was mentioned in the Beijing Declaration of the XIV BRICS Summit, and in 2024, in the Kazan Declaration of the XVI BRICS Summit, highlighting its significance as a tool for promoting sustainable urban development.
In 2024, the Forum received high recognition at the state level: the organizers were awarded a Letter of Gratitude from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, confirming the importance of the Forum in developing international dialogue.
Results of the IMF BRICS 2024: a new stage for international partnership The VI International Municipal Forum of BRICS, held in August 2024 in Moscow, demonstrated the increased influence of this platform. During the event, 307 agreements on international cooperation were signed, including partnerships between Moscow and Tehran (Iran), Cebu (Philippines), and São Paulo (Brazil). Over 6000 participants, including 1133 official foreign representatives and 2300 businesspeople, exceeded all expectations. The business program included 511 speakers discussing relevant topics, and the online audience reached over 100,000 people. These results strengthened municipal ties and laid the foundation for the implementation of projects within the framework of Russia's chairmanship in BRICS.
Feedback from participants of the IMF BRICS 2024 confirmed its role in creating real partnerships. Mikhail Sverdlov, Director of the BRICS Business Communications Fund, noted that the results of the forum surpassed all forecasts. Sergey Cheryomin, Minister of the Government of Moscow, added that the record number of participants, including 229 mayors and representatives from over 500 cities in 125 countries, confirms the importance of the Forum for the development of international relations.
Opening the Forum, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation at the municipal level in the face of global challenges. Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, highlighted that over 6000 participants made this event one of the largest during Russia's chairmanship in BRICS.
These opinions underscore how the Forum contributes to turning dialogue into action, creating a foundation for a more just multipolar world through municipal initiatives.
Forum Program 2025 In 2025, the IMF BRICS in St. Petersburg will be a place for discussing pressing issues and opportunities in the fields of urbanism, digitalization, ecology, and social development. The business program will include:
• Plenary sessions featuring mayors, leaders of international organizations, and experts;
• Round table topics concerning sustainable development and the implementation of innovations in the urban environment;
• Business dialogues to develop trade and economic ties between entrepreneurs from BRICS+ countries and Russia;
• An exhibition of new technologies for urban infrastructure;
• A cultural program showcasing the unique heritage of St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg was symbolically chosen as the host city for the 2025 Forum. This major cultural and economic center of Russia is ideally suited for holding an international event. The city, renowned for its historical heritage and openness to international cooperation, will be a meeting place for leaders striving to shape the future of cities for sustainable development.
The IMF BRICS 2025 represents a unique opportunity for representatives of government, business, and the expert community to join forces in creating a more sustainable and socially oriented future for cities and regions.
