Representatives of Asian Cities and China Support the Creation of the BRICS Cities Association at Meeting with Ilsur Metshin
The UCLG Asia-Pacific Section and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Shared Their Proposals for Developing the New Alliance.
At the World Council of the organization United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) held in the Turkish city of Konya, the Mayor of Kazan, Ilsur Metshin, met with Bernadia Irawati, Secretary General of UCLG Asia-Pacific, and Dong Yan, Deputy Chair of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. The international partners expressed their support for the creation of the BRICS Cities Association. Kazan Deputy Mayor Evgenia Lodvigova also took part in the meeting.

Bernadia Irawati proposed that not only cities but also municipalities be included in the association. In her view, this would allow both large and small cities to contribute to economic, social, and cultural development.

Dong Yan stated that he would explore the idea of creating the association with representatives of cities in the People’s Republic of China. He believes that the new alliance would help strengthen partnerships and establish sister-city relations between municipalities, ultimately playing a significant role in building a sustainably developed world.
Dong Yan also provided a detailed overview of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. The organization was established to foster friendship between peoples, develop international cooperation, and support the advancement of cities. He invited Ilsur Metshin to attend the celebration of the association’s 70th anniversary, scheduled for May next year.

In turn, the Mayor of Kazan invited representatives of Asian countries to visit the international multi-sport tournament “Games of the Future,” which will be held for the first time in Kazan in 2024.

It should be recalled that in September, Ilsur Metshin proposed the creation of a BRICS Cities Association. According to him, such a body is necessary to ensure that municipalities from friendly countries have a voice on the international stage. The initiative has already received support from the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).