The BRICS International Municipal Forum is an annual platform of great significance held in St. Petersburg with support from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Agency Rossotrudnichestvo, and the St. Petersburg Government. This initiative aims to promote the integration of positive global experiences, support the achievement of local government objectives, and foster social and economic development in municipal territories. Additionally, it seeks to encourage the incorporation of information, digital, and innovative technologies into the daily management of major cities in developing countries, creating a space for collaboration and exchange of best practices among cities from BRICS member countries, which include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The creation of this forum was decided during the BRICS Ministerial Summit held in South Africa in July 2018. During the summit, a regional delegation from St. Petersburg, led by Mikhail Cherepanov, proposed the establishment of a global information and communication platform for municipalities of the bloc’s countries—a proposal that was supported by the meeting participants. Since then, the forum has been consolidating as a key space for the exchange of best practices in specific areas of territorial development and international cooperation. The first edition took place in September 2019 at the Lenexpo Exhibition Complex, with over 700 participants from various countries. During this event, 30 sessions were organized where municipal representatives from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa shared their experiences in territorial management, presented investment projects, and established new business contacts.

The program of the first forum addressed topics related to economy, investment, construction, real estate, trade, development of small and medium enterprises, infrastructure, agriculture, ecology, tourism, culture, education, and sports. The event also included an international rugby tournament between teams from BRICS countries, thereby promoting sports and culture within the framework of international cooperation. As a result of these deliberations, delegates drafted a roadmap that laid the groundwork for strengthening interaction among municipalities, promoting the use of renewable energy, encouraging recycling and tourism, and establishing working groups to identify the main needs of BRICS municipalities and disseminate public and private experiences in urban policies and territorial development.

In 2020, the second edition gained even greater relevance as it was held under Russia’s presidency of BRICS and was included in the Moscow Declaration of the 12th BRICS Summit. The forum’s agenda was enriched with the participation of over 170 speakers and nearly 3,800 connected participants, including senior officials from various countries such as the vice mayor of São Paulo, counselors, and consuls from different nations. This event was notable for its extensive international scope, involving countries such as Italy, Spain, Argentina, Mali, Peru, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Nigeria, Mongolia, Egypt, Germany, Estonia, Finland, among others. The 2020 forum program consisted of 29 sessions covering current issues across different fields, from urban transport modernization and urban planning to digitalization, investment cooperation, international trade, and infectious disease control. Highlights included signing ceremonies for cooperation agreements between various cities, fostering tangible strengthening of municipal relations among BRICS countries.

This forum has proven to be a crucial space for municipal cooperation in a global context, fostering idea exchange, joint project development, and promoting a positive image of Russia and BRICS countries on the international stage. The goal of these meetings is to strengthen city-to-city relations, promote new ideas and innovative solutions for urban challenges, and enhance international integration in an increasingly interconnected world.

The IMBRICS+ Forum has been a key platform for promoting international cooperation and urban, economic, and social development within the regions and cities that comprise BRICS, as well as other partner countries. Since 2021, the event has evolved significantly, establishing itself as an important venue for exchanging experiences, agreements, and joint projects. In 2021, due to the pandemic, the III IMBRICS+ was held entirely digitally, streamed through platforms like YouTube and VKontakte from the Nevskaya Ratusha in St. Petersburg. The edition included 24 sessions with 235 speakers and moderators, covering topics ranging from economy, artificial intelligence, digitalization, and urban planning to culture, tourism, and sustainability. Leaders from different regions participated, including mayors and chancellors, and 11 cooperation agreements were signed between regions and municipalities, strengthening ties such as Krasnodar with Jinhua in China or Gorodetsky with Trinidad in Brazil.

In 2022, the IV IMBRICS+ at the Expoforum in Saint Petersburg attracted over 3,000 attendees from 37 countries, with online participation exceeding 15,000. The program expanded to 40 sessions, 17 roundtables, and various workshops and digital events, focusing on digitalization, renewable energy, urban planning, and logistics transformation. The second day delved into topics related to socioeconomic recovery, tourism development, international cooperation, and trade relations, culminating in the signing of 153 cooperation agreements, particularly between cities and universities from different countries, strengthening ties with institutions and regions in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

In 2023, the V IMBRICS+ was held in early November with record participation, surpassing 7,000 registrations from over 104 countries, including delegates from more than 200 international cities. The event covered a broad agenda including discussions on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, urban planning, and foreign trade. Additionally, competitions such as an international chess tournament, a youth rugby 7s tournament, and a friendly football match between representatives of various government bodies and the forum took place. During this edition, 210 agreements were signed, highlighting collaboration among municipalities, public organizations, and the private sector, including an agreement with the Moscow City Duma.

In 2024, IMBRICS continued its expansion with the organization of the VI IMBRICS Forum in Moscow and the VI IMBRICS Economic Congress in Saint Petersburg. The Moscow forum, supported by the City Hall, involved over 6,000 participants both in person and online, highlighting international interest in topics such as interparliamentary cooperation, urban modernization, digitalization, and sustainability. A total of 307 cooperation agreements were signed between Russian cities and their counterparts in various countries, including Tehran, São Paulo, and Cebu. In Saint Petersburg, the focus was on export and import relations, attracting around 3,500 participants and resulting in the signing of nearly 80 agreements with prominent actors from Asia, Europe, and America.

Overall, these forums have proven to be vital spaces for strengthening international ties, promoting sustainable urban development, and boosting cooperation between regions and cities in an increasingly interconnected and dynamic world. The active participation and the signing of numerous agreements reflect the importance of these meetings as catalysts for joint projects and a shared agenda of growth and development within the framework of multilateral cooperation led by BRICS and its allies.