Bhubaneswar, 01 June (H.S.): Odisha will host the Second Technical Meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group from June 3 to June 5, 2026, at Puri. The announcement was made by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Shri Suresh Pujari during a press conference held in Bhubaneswar on Monday.

The meeting is being organized under India's BRICS Presidency and marks the first in-person technical gathering of the BRICS DRR Working Group following the successful virtual meeting chaired by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), India, on April 29–30, 2026.

BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia, represents nearly half of the global population and more than one-third of the world's GDP. The grouping has emerged as an important platform for cooperation among leading emerging economies, including in the field of disaster risk reduction and resilience.

The meeting will be held at Taj Puri Resort and is expected to bring together senior government officials, policymakers, disaster management experts, and representatives from BRICS member countries and partner institutions. The event will be organized under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pujari said Odisha was selected as the host state in recognition of its globally acknowledged achievements in disaster preparedness, cyclone management, early warning dissemination, evacuation planning, and community-based disaster resilience. Odisha's successful handling of multiple cyclones and natural disasters has earned international recognition and made the state a model for disaster risk management.

The programme will commence on June 2 with the arrival of delegates and informal interactions. On June 3, a series of side events will be conducted focusing on key thematic areas including community-based disaster risk governance, disaster risk financing, multi-hazard early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, nature-based and indigenous solutions, and the application of science, technology, and innovation in disaster risk reduction.

The main technical sessions on June 4 will deliberate on sustainable financing mechanisms for disaster risk reduction and inclusive early warning systems. Delegates will also participate in a cultural visit to the iconic Konark region.

On June 5, discussions will focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, integration of traditional knowledge and nature-based solutions into disaster management strategies, and the role of science and technology in strengthening resilience. Participants will also undertake a field exposure visit to Ramachandi to observe boat rescue and coastal emergency response operations.

The meeting is expected to strengthen BRICS cooperation in disaster risk reduction, facilitate the development of technical reports and policy frameworks, identify scalable financing and innovation models, and enhance knowledge-sharing among member countries.

Hosting this prestigious international event will further elevate Odisha's profile as a global leader in disaster resilience, while providing an opportunity to showcase the state's best practices in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery to an international audience.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda