[ TRENDS ] FORUMS | Events
the economic and technological interactions between these urban hubs . Representatives from major cities like Bangalore , Guangzhou , Kolkata , Moscow , Rio de Janeiro , São Paulo and Tehran will gather to share their experiences and launch collaborative projects aimed at sustainable development . The event will also include partner cities such as Almaty , Ankara , Baku , Beirut , Bishkek , Doha and Kuala Lumpur .
True to BRICS ’ tradition of blending academic research with practical governance , the forum will feature renowned experts from various disciplines . Key figures include leading economists Jeffrey Sachs and Daron Acemoğlu ; Maimunah Mohd Sharif , former Executive Director of UN-Habitat and current mayor of Kuala Lumpur ; Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr . Raekwon Chung , who formerly advised the UN Secretary-General on climate change ; and Nicholas You , Executive Director of the Guangzhou Institute for Urban Innovation .
Under the theme " Harmonious Development : The Future of BRICS Megacities ," the forum will emphasise balanced growth , echoing the UN-Habitat ’ s focus on avoiding isolated success stories . Important international research projects will also be presented during the discussions .
The World Innovation Award , another highlight of the forum , will recognise outstanding individuals advancing the UN ’ s Sustainable Development Goals through pioneering projects . Organised by the World Organization for Development ( WOD ), a UN-affiliated NGO , the award celebrates exceptional work in this field , as highlighted separately in this issue of WEJ . WOD ’ s initiatives , which have been acknowledged by the UN as exemplary best practices in 2015 and 2021 , aim to accelerate progress toward achieving the SDGs .
Additionally , the forum will unveil BRICS 250 , a pioneering corporate ranking which is also featured in this issue of WEJ . Unlike conventional Western rankings , BRICS 250 evaluates not only financial performance but also a company ' s dedication to sustainability . The ranking considers corporate ESG and SDG strategies and , more critically , their effective execution .
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WEJ | September 2024