The first in-person technical meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Group is set to commence today in Puri, Odisha. Representatives from 11 nations, including Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia, will attend the meeting. According to a State Minister, the event will run from June 3-5 in Puri.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari stated that “Odisha was chosen as the host State due to its globally recognised milestones in disaster preparedness, effective cyclone management, and early warning systems.”
This three-day gathering will convene delegates, policymakers, and disaster management experts from the eleven BRICS member and partner countries.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is scheduled to attend the inaugural event on June 4.
India previously chaired the first technical meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, which was held virtually on April 29-30, to unite member countries in advancing a common agenda on disaster resilience.
The focus of the meeting is to enhance disaster resilience and promote sustainable development throughout the Global South. Topics of discussion will include sustainable financing for disaster risk reduction, the development of resilient infrastructure, anticipatory response mechanisms, and the incorporation of traditional knowledge into contemporary disaster management practices. Odisha’s selection as the host state acknowledges its esteemed expertise in disaster preparedness, particularly in effective cyclone management, community-based early warning systems, and efficient evacuation and rescue operations.
