A delegation from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), led by Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki, today joined other BRICS capitals for the ceremonial signing of the Joint Statement of the Parliamentary Movement of the BRICS Capitals at the Moscow Parliamentary Centre in Russia.
The Parliamentary Movement of the BRICS Capitals is being established as a new platform for direct engagement among major cities facing similar urban challenges from infrastructure development and digital governance to climate-conscious, sustainable growth. The initiative seeks to complement traditional diplomacy, enhance the effectiveness of international cooperation, and strengthen partnerships at the municipal level.
The ceremony was attended by key Russian officials, including Deputy Chairpersons of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev and Inna Svyatenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Ryabkov, and Minister of the Moscow Government and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations, Sergey Cheremin. Also present were Uganda’s Ambassador to Russia, Moses Kizige, and representatives from the capitals of Minsk (Belarus), Brasília (Brazil), Havana (Cuba), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Tehran (Iran), and Tshwane (South Africa).
In his remarks, Aleksey Shaposhnikov, Chairman of the Moscow City Duma, underscored the importance of the new format, describing it as “a new chapter in the international cooperation of major cities.” He noted that while many tasks lie ahead, the partnership among representative bodies of key cities will help build a world order grounded in equality, trust, and mutual respect.
On behalf of Kampala, Sharifah Buzeki reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to the new formation, highlighting it as a chance to share best practices and strengthen city-to-city collaboration. “A city alone can go fast,” she said, “but together we can reach so far.”
The KCCA delegation will proceed to St. Petersburg, where they will join other BRICS nations at the BRICS Municipal Forum scheduled for October 28–31, 2025.
