Puri: The second technical meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group commenced in Odisha’s Puri on Wednesday under India’s 2026 BRICS Presidency.
The three-day meet brings together delegates, policymakers and disaster management experts from 11 BRICS member and partner countries.
Representatives from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran and Indonesia are participating in the three-day deliberations aimed at strengthening disaster resilience and promoting sustainable development across the Global South.
Officials said the meeting will focus on key areas, including sustainable disaster-risk financing, resilient infrastructure, anticipatory response mechanisms, community-based early warning systems, and the integration of traditional knowledge into modern disaster management practices.
Odisha has been chosen as the host state in recognition of its internationally acclaimed disaster management model, particularly its success in cyclone preparedness, timely evacuations and community-led response systems.
“The state government and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) have continuously strengthened cyclone preparedness and last-mile early warning dissemination, making Odisha an internationally acknowledged example of effective coastal disaster management, according to Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.
The conference, being held from June 3 to 5, is expected to facilitate the exchange of best practices and enhance cooperation among BRICS nations in disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation and recovery. Extensive security arrangements have been put in place in Puri and at the Konark Sun Temple, which is scheduled to be visited by the international delegates during their stay.
As delegates arrived on June 2 for informal engagements, side events on June 3 will cover topics including community-based disaster governance, sustainable disaster risk financing, multi-hazard early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions, indigenous knowledge, and technological innovations. Technical discussions on June 4 will focus on sustainable financing and inclusive early warning systems, followed by a cultural visit to the iconic Konark Sun Temple.
On June 5, sessions will address climate-resilient infrastructure, integration of traditional and nature-based solutions, and the role of science and technology, culminating in a field visit to observe rescue operations near Ramchandi Beach.
Outcomes anticipated from the meeting include strengthened international cooperation, development of technical reports and policy frameworks, identification of scalable financing models and innovations, and enhanced mechanisms for knowledge sharing among BRICS partners.
BRICS, a major intergovernmental organisation of emerging economies, includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Collectively, these countries represent nearly half the world’s population and over one-third of global GDP.
