New Delhi: India and the European Union (EU) have reached an agreement to enhance collaboration on smart and sustainable urban development during the 4th India-EU Urban Forum focused on these crucial topics.
This high-level event, which builds on the 2017 Joint Declaration on Partnership for Smart and Sustainable Urbanization, gathered officials and experts from India, the European Union (EU), and its Member States. The focus was on discussing policies and sharing best practices aimed at fostering integrated approaches to sustainable urban development, thereby strengthening the EU’s Global Gateway strategy in India.
The forum focused on transformative initiatives and innovative funding models designed to advance gender-inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban development. The discussions highlighted three key themes: Urban Alliance and Integrated Strategies in Indian Cities, Fostering Innovation and Circular Economy at the City Level, and Inclusive Urban Mobility as a Means of Social Empowerment.
The partnership between the EU and India is vital, especially given that urban regions contribute to two-thirds of the world’s energy use, emissions, and pollution. Since 2017, this collaboration has played a key role in advancing sustainable city initiatives, fostering public-private investments, and addressing climate change and disaster risks. Team Europe has worked with more than 40 municipalities in India, helping them grasp the principles of climate-smart development while also supporting urban mobility, waste management, and strategic climate action planning.
Hervé Delphin, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to India highlighted the importance of EU-India cooperation in urban development, stating, “Since 2017 the EU has been engaged in accompanying and supporting Indian Government’s planning the development of Indian cities. With the right policies in place, urbanization can be an enormous opportunity for sustainability. Smart and sustainable urbanisation has been at the core of our partnership: to improve the eco-design of cities; to improve waste disposal, to improve water recycling; to facilitate urban mobility with the financing of metros.”
He added, “With over € 45 million [INR 400 crores] we have leveraged over € 1 billion [INR 9000 crores] of capital to support sustainable urbanisation. It is our commitment to pursue this effort in the period 2025-2027.”
Setting the tone for the forum, Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), underscored India’s commitment to urban innovation, stating, “Indian cities are embracing smart solutions, building green infrastructure, and implementing inclusive policies to sustainable urbanisation for generations to come.”
Emphasizing the significance of the India-EU partnership, he added, “India and Europe are collaboratively creating sustainable cities of the future, fostering innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth while addressing pressing climate challenges.”
This forum was instrumental in establishing a cooperative framework for transforming urban areas in India, adapting to new challenges and seizing opportunities. It underscored the shared commitment of India and the EU to advance smart, sustainable, and inclusive urban development, in harmony with the objectives of MoHUA’s programmes.
– global bihari bureau
