India-led Global River Cities Alliance launched at COP28

In a statement, the NMCG said: “Expanding the reach of the River Cities Alliance formed by NMCG in association with NIUA with 142 Indian River cities as members, river cities of Den Haag, from the Netherlands, Adelaide from Australia, and Szolnok of Hungary joined the Global River Cities Alliance.”

On December 6, the RCA had signed a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) with 124 member Mississippi River Towns and Cities Initiative of the US. “This is first of its kind alliance in the world,” the statement said.

“The launch of GRCA signifies a momentous step in global efforts towards river conservation and sustainable water management. Following this, partner countries are poised to coordinate post-COP activities, shaping the architecture of GRCA for effective implementation,” it said.

NMCG Director General G Asok Kumar quoted PM Narendra Modi’s call for new river planning, stressing the need to mainstream rivers in urban planning without a regulatory mindset.