The prestigious Raisina Dialogue 2025, India’s premier geopolitical and geo-economic conference, focused extensively on urban development and smart city innovations this year. The event, organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, took place in New Delhi from March 17 to 19. It brought together heads of state, cabinet ministers, policymakers, and local administrative officials from various countries to deliberate on pressing global issues.
Surat Mayor Dakshesh Mavani was specially invited to participate in the event, where he attended the “Mayor’s Roundtable” discussion, held in collaboration with Dubai Expo 2025. The roundtable aimed to explore urban challenges and innovative solutions for sustainable city development.
During his address, Mayor Mavani showcased Surat’s remarkable urban transformation and smart city initiatives on a global platform. He discussed key urban challenges such as rapid population growth, water management, traffic control, and waste management, highlighting technology-driven solutions implemented in Surat. He elaborated on the city’s advancements in smart transportation, sustainable infrastructure, and climate-resilient urban planning.
The discussion saw participation from mayors and policymakers from various countries, alongside key figures such as Nadia Virji, Executive Director of Expo City Dubai (UAE), and Senior Manager Misha Mittal.
The Raisina Dialogue, held annually in New Delhi, serves as a global platform where leaders from politics, business, media, and civil society engage in discussions on critical global challenges. This year, urban development was prominently featured to emphasize the need for sustainable and smart city planning.
Mayor Mavani’s participation in the dialogue provided a significant opportunity to present the Surat model on an international stage. It reinforced Surat’s identity as a smart, innovative, and environmentally friendly city. The discussions also opened avenues for potential collaborations with international municipalities, paving the way for adopting new urban solutions and fostering global partnerships in sustainable city development.
