Visakhapatnam: Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday inaugurated the BRICS global meet on urbanization here. Andhra Pradesh is hosting the prestigious three-day BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) global event.

Over 72 international delegates are taking part in the summit. Delegates from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa will participated in the event, while another 259 are coming from various parts of the country. Together with the participants from Andhra Pradesh, around 450 delegates are participating in the summit. The delegates will discuss several key topics including investments, urbanisation, formation of new cities and policies and will explore solutions to the challenges.

Over 72 international delegates are taking part in the summit. Delegates from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa will participated in the event, while another 259 are coming from various parts of the country. Together with the participants from Andhra Pradesh, around 450 delegates are participating in the summit.

The conference will discuss, among other things, separate urban finance system and creation of employment opportunities, inclusive housing and informal economies, climate change, resilient water and sanitation management, new towns and regional planning and urban renaissance: new reform agenda in the plenary sessions over the three days.

With Mayors and Municipal Commissioners and officials related to urban affairs from all over the country attending, challenges in city planning, public health and waste management would also be deliberated upon, said HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao after a review of the arrangements on Tuesday. AP Government will also present business potential in the state and opportunities in the tourism sector including that of Visakhapatnam and surrounding areas.

The GVMC with the National Institute of Urban Affairs as knowledge partner is hosting the summit. Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, and Rajiv Gauba, Union Urban Development Secretary, will participate in the inaugural programme. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu delivered the key-note address.

Aravind Panagaria, Vice-Chairman, Niti Aayog of India, Rajiv Gauba, Urban Development Secretary, Amar Sinha, Foreign Affairs Secretary, SP Tucker, AP Chief Secretary, etc, took part in the summit.