The Forum was first held in September 2019 at the Lenexpo Exhibition Complex (Saint Petersburg, Russia) with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
The Forum's business programme included 30 sessions.
Representatives of municipalities from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa exchanged best practices in the development of territories, presented investment-attractive projects, and established new business contacts.

The Forum programme was aimed at discussing key issues in the fields of economy and investment, construction and real estate transactions, trade and development of small and medium-sized businesses, industry, agriculture, ecology, tourism, culture, education, and sports. More than 700 participants took part in the event. A sports programme was also held within the framework of the Forum, namely the International Municipal Rugby-7 Tournament among teams from the BRICS countries.

The delegates summed up the results of the work and developed a draft roadmap for cooperation between the BRICS municipalities. The draft roadmap included proposals to strengthen cooperation between municipalities; transit to renewable environmentally friendly energy sources; separate collection and expedient recycling of waste; develop new tourist destinations; establish a work group to identify the basic needs of the BRICS municipalities in the context of cooperation and exchange of experience of state and municipal practices in BRICS countries and cities; develop cultural exchange; develop the sports industry, and more.