The 5th BRICS Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) Leaders’ Summit officially began in Bengaluru today. India is hosting this event as part of its BRICS Chairmanship year. The summit welcomes 42 delegates, including the heads of SAIs from member nations. The main theme of the summit is “Ease of Living with a Focus on Urban Mobility”.

Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, delivered the inaugural address. He stated that Bengaluru is a perfect example of why this summit is needed. The city mixes high-tech innovation with critical human needs. Shri Murthy noted that India is experiencing massive urban growth. Estimates show that over 50% of the Indian population will live in cities by 2050. The government has approved an $11 billion Urban Challenge Fund to manage this change. This fund will help build market-linked and outcome-oriented infrastructure.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister’s "5-E" vision is central to this urban transformation. This vision includes Ease of Living, Education, Employment, Economy, and Entertainment. Shri Murthy emphasized that "Ease of Living" is a deeply human promise. It is based on the ancient Sanskrit idea of 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah', which means happiness for all beings. In modern cities, this vision focuses on safe and efficient mobility for all citizens during their daily commutes.

The CAG urged the delegates to change their auditing methods. He asked them to look beyond basic compliance and focus on citizen-centric outcomes. True accountability means checking if public spending actually improves daily life. For example, audits should measure reduced commute times or cleaner air instead of just the length of newly built roads. SAI India is supporting this shift by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics into its processes. The institution is currently auditing 101 cities to evaluate sustainability and the quality of life.

The first day of the summit also included a keynote address from NITI Aayog. Delegates from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and the UAE presented their national views on urban sector challenges.

The summit will continue on May 8. Upcoming sessions will focus on sustainable transport systems and the environmental impact of growing cities. These talks aim to improve data-driven audit methods across BRICS nations. These member nations represent over three billion people who face similar housing and mobility challenges. The event will end tomorrow. The delegates are expected to adopt the BRICS SAI Work Plan 2027–28 and the Bengaluru Declaration.

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