Delhi wants to become sister city with Brisbane, says Mayor Shelly Oberoi

New Delhi: Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi expressed her desire for Delhi to become a sister city with Brisbane, Australia. She conveyed this wish to her counterpart in Brisbane during the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors Forum held recently. Impressed by Brisbane's sanitation, cleanliness management, and preservation of built heritage, Oberoi believes that this partnership could bring valuable opportunities for both cities.

Oberoi's Visit to Brisbane

Oberoi, representing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), attended the urban summit in Brisbane from October 11 to 13. Over 1,000 delegates, including more than 100 mayors and deputy mayors, participated in the event. During the summit, Oberoi had the chance to interact with several city leaders, including Brisbane's Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

Brisbane's Sister City Program

The Brisbane City Council has an established sister city program aimed at fostering mutually beneficial exchanges in various areas such as commerce, culture, and sports. Brisbane currently has nine sister cities: Abu Dhabi (UAE), Auckland (New Zealand), Chongqing (China), Daejeon (South Korea), Hyderabad (India), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Kobe (Japan), Semarang (Indonesia), and Shenzhen (China).

Delhi's Interest in Sister City Partnership

Oberoi expressed Delhi's keen interest in becoming Brisbane's sister city. She stated that the formalities for such a partnership would be discussed with the Brisbane City Council. The mayor also mentioned receiving support from the Indian mission in Australia and an advisor to the mayor of Brisbane in pursuing this initiative.

Potential Benefits of the Partnership

Oberoi sees the sister city partnership as an opportunity to showcase Delhi's best practices and models on an international platform. She believes that such collaboration can enhance commercial, cultural, and sporting exchanges between the two cities. Oberoi highlighted the work done by the MCD in areas like waste management and the creation of waste-to-wealth parks, which garnered interest from the Brisbane delegation.

Promoting Sustainability and Cultural Exchange

The Brisbane summit focused on the theme of "Shaping Cities for our Future," with sub-themes emphasizing connectivity, sustainability, and legacy. Oberoi delivered a presentation on the MCD's efforts towards sustainability, particularly in managing legacy waste and transforming landfill sites. She shared the success stories of three municipal parks built on the concept of waste-to-wealth, showcasing Delhi's commitment to environmental stewardship and creative reuse of materials.

Delhi's aspiration to become a sister city with Brisbane reflects its commitment to fostering international partnerships and promoting sustainable urban development. The exchange of ideas, best practices, and cultural experiences between the two cities can lead to innovative solutions and enhance the quality of life for their residents. As the process moves forward, it will be exciting to witness the potential outcomes of this collaboration and its impact on both cities.