Mayor of Kazan: “Today's momentous meeting will enter the history of the global municipal movement”

Today, the grand opening of the International Forum of BRICS+ Cities took place at the Kazan City Hall. It was attended by representatives of local authorities from 60 cities, heads of associations of municipalities from 20 countries. During the first constituent assembly, participants will discuss the structure and upcoming joint projects of the Association of Cities and Municipalities of the BRICS+ countries. The opening ceremony was attended by the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, heads of cities and international associations.

Rustam Minnikhanov read out a welcoming speech on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The cooperation of local authorities contributes to the exchange of experience and sustainable development of countries, said the Rais of Tatarstan. Being one of the leading industrialized and innovative regions, Tatarstan actively participates in the implementation of Russia's foreign policy aimed at establishing a fair and multipolar world order.

Ilsur Metshin expressed gratitude for the support of the initiative of the Kazan Mayor's Office to create an Association of Cities and Municipalities of the BRICS+ countries. “I am sure that today's momentous meeting will be inscribed in the history of the global municipal movement. I heartly believe in the power of urban diplomacy, that the leaders of municipalities together are able to achieve a lot for their residents who trust them, as well as to strengthen trust between countries,”- the head of the city said.

Besides the representatives of 10 BRICS countries, delegations from Turkey, Chile, Morocco, Indonesia, Mexico, Zambia, Argentina, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan take part in the meeting in Kazan.

The President of the South African Local Government Association (South Africa), Becky Stofile, was among the first to support the establishment of the Association of Cities and Municipalities of the BRICS+ countries. In his opinion, long-term cooperation at the municipal level has become an important foundation for the creation of the association.

“Today, as people who contribute to the development of our cities, within the framework of the BRICS+ association, we must take advantage of an important moment in order to adapt, work properly in a rapidly changing environment, and develop inter–municipal and international cooperation,”- Beke Stofile noted.

According to Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, there are many conflicts in the modern world and polarization between some countries is increasing. In this regard, it is important to create an association of local authorities to solve problems and share experiences.

“I believe that thanks to the experience we have gained in working under the auspices of the new association, we will be able to build cities more resilient to these challenges. Undoubtedly, my dear friend Ilsur Metshin is making great efforts in the formation of the organization. This work is being carried out both in Kazan and within the framework of the world's largest local government organization,”- Mansur Yavas noted.