BRICS DRR Meet 2026: Strengthening Global Disaster Resilience

The second technical meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group commenced on Wednesday in Puri, Odisha, bringing together high-level delegates from 11 nations under India’s 2026 BRICS Presidency. 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. The conference is designed to enhance cooperation across the Global South, promote sustainable development, and share practical strategies for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response.

The BRICS DRR meeting highlights the expanding role of the bloc in facilitating international collaboration on disaster management. By bringing together policymakers, emergency responders, and experts in disaster risk reduction, the summit provides a platform to exchange best practices, develop risk-informed strategies, and create actionable frameworks that member and partner countries can implement to reduce vulnerability to natural and human-made disasters.

Why Odisha Was Chosen as Host State

Odisha has earned international recognition for its robust disaster management model. The state’s proven success in cyclone preparedness, timely evacuations, and community-led response systems makes it an exemplary host for this high-profile meeting. The local government’s commitment to integrating traditional knowledge with modern technological solutions has been a cornerstone of its resilience. Delegates at the meeting are expected to observe Odisha’s early warning systems, community response mechanisms, and resilient infrastructure projects, using these insights to inform disaster management strategies in their own countries.

Key Focus Areas of the BRICS DRR Meeting

The conference is structured around critical themes aimed at enhancing global disaster resilience:

• Sustainable Disaster-Risk Financing: Exploring methods to fund proactive risk reduction measures and ensure financial preparedness for emergencies.
• Resilient Infrastructure: Discussing ways to design and implement infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events and natural disasters.
• Anticipatory Response Mechanisms: Strengthening systems that predict hazards and trigger pre-emptive protective actions.
• Community-Based Early Warning Systems: Sharing insights on local participation and awareness programs that empower communities to respond quickly to disasters.
• Integration of Traditional Knowledge: Understanding how indigenous practices and local expertise can complement modern disaster management technologies.

Delegates are exchanging knowledge on climate-induced hazards such as cyclones, floods, droughts, and heatwaves. The sessions also focus on the creation of shared data platforms, joint training programs for emergency personnel, and strategies to enhance public infrastructure resilience.

International Cooperation and Expanded Participation

This meeting has expanded participation beyond original BRICS members to include partner nations, emphasizing the importance of collective action against disasters that transcend borders. Delegates discussed collaborative frameworks for risk assessment, cross-country early warning coordination, and the sharing of best practices for disaster prevention and recovery.

Security and Logistics

Extensive security arrangements have been implemented across Puri and the Konark Sun Temple, where delegates are scheduled to visit. The careful coordination ensures the safety of participants while maintaining the smooth operation of conference sessions. Local authorities have facilitated logistics, accommodations, and transportation to support the event’s international attendees.

Expected Outcomes

The summit is expected to conclude with a comprehensive set of recommendations and an action framework for BRICS nations and partners. These outputs aim to strengthen regional cooperation in disaster risk reduction, increase resilience capacity, and contribute to sustainable development goals by minimizing the impact of disasters on communities, economies, and ecosystems.

The Puri summit exemplifies the urgent need for international collaboration in disaster preparedness and showcases how shared knowledge, community engagement, and coordinated action can reduce risks, save lives, and build sustainable futures for vulnerable populations across the Global South.