PIB · Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs ·

Union Minister Tokhan Sahu Inaugurates ARISE Cities Forum 2026, Emphasizing Shared Commitment to Shape Better Urban Futures

Distilled Policy Brief

  • The second edition of the ARISE Cities Forum 2026 commenced in New Delhi, convening over 200 delegates from 50+ cities across 18+ Global South countries.
  • Organized by ICLEI South Asia in collaboration with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the forum is themed 'From India to Antalya — Commitment. Action. Outcomes.'
  • Discussions at the forum will culminate in the 'Delhi Declaration 2026 for Global Climate Goals through Local Action', slated for presentation at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points

The ARISE Cities Forum 2026 is organized by ICLEI South Asia in partnership with NIUA and MoHUA, aiming to draft the Delhi Declaration 2026 for presentation at UNFCCC COP31 in Antalya.

⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages

Analyze the role of decentralized urban local bodies and Global South networks in translating international climate commitments into local, measurable urban resilience and low-carbon growth outcomes.

🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill

Environment & Ecology

Consider the following statements regarding the ARISE Cities Forum 2026: 1. The second edition of the forum was held in New Delhi, organized by ICLEI South Asia in collaboration with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). 2. The theme of the forum was 'From India to Antalya — Commitment. Action. Outcomes.' 3. The discussions at the forum are slated to culminate in the 'Delhi Declaration 2026', which is intended to be presented at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  • [A] 1 and 2 only
  • [B] 2 and 3 only
  • [C] 1 and 3 only
  • [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
✓ Correct Option: [D] 1, 2 and 3

All the given statements are correct based on the policy briefing. The second edition of the ARISE Cities Forum 2026 was inaugurated in New Delhi, organized by ICLEI South Asia, NIUA, and MoHUA, under the theme 'From India to Antalya — Commitment. Action. Outcomes.' Furthermore, the deliberations are designed to culminate in the 'Delhi Declaration 2026 for Global Climate Goals through Local Action', which will be presented at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

Tark High-Yield Question Bank ⚡ Practice Full Test in Testing Arena ↗

🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)

UPSC Prelims 2021

Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.

Forensic Anchor: Cabinet Allocation of Business Rules & NCAP Framework
Examiner Trap Takeaway: UPSC swapped Central Pollution Control Board role with State Pollution Control Boards for state-level monitoring.

📚 Static Syllabus & Constitutional Linkages

Urban Local Governments (74th Constitutional Amendment Act): Empowerment of municipal corporations and urban local bodies for decentralized planning, economic development, and social justice.
India's Climate Commitments (Nationally Determined Contributions): Translating India's net-zero and climate adaptation targets into sub-national urban action plans and sustainable city initiatives.