Puri to host BRICS disaster risk reduction meet from June 3
Bhubaneswar, May 25
Odisha will host the BRICS Technical Meeting of the "Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group" in Puri from June 3 to 5, 2026.
According to an official statement, the BRICS Technical Meeting of the "Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group", being organised under India's BRICS Presidency, will be held from June 3 to 5 at the Taj Puri Resort in Puri.
"Representatives and experts from BRICS countries will participate in the meeting and deliberate on various issues related to disaster management, resilience building, and international cooperation," the government informed.
It is noteworthy that delegates from Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the UAE, and China, among other countries, will attend the conference.
Officials also informed that Odisha has been selected as the host for this important technical meeting, in recognition of the state's proactive, successful, and robust initiatives in disaster preparedness and management.
In particular, Odisha has earned international appreciation for its effective cyclone management, community-based early warning systems, and successful rescue and evacuation strategies.
The technical meeting is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange among BRICS nations on disaster management, promote discussions on new technologies and coordinated approaches, and further strengthen mutual cooperation.
"In this context, the hosting of such a significant technical conference of BRICS nations in Puri will not only showcase Odisha's achievements and expertise in disaster management at the international level but also further enhance the state's global image," the government added.
Notably, the BRICS Technical Meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group is a specialised forum where officials, disaster management experts, policymakers, and technical representatives from the BRICS nations and newer member countries discuss cooperation in disaster management and climate resilience.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, I'm a bit skeptical. These international meets often end up as photo ops with little ground-level impact. Hope they actually discuss community-based early warning systems like Odisha's rather than just talking shop. The state's cyclone shelters and evacuation drills are world-class though.
From Odisha's coastal villages to hosting BRICS - what a journey! Our 'zero casualty' approach during cyclones is definitely worth discussing. But let's also talk about inland flooding and heatwave management, which are becoming bigger threats annually. Puri will be a fantastic host! 🌊🏛️
Interesting that they're including newer BRICS members like Ethiopia and Iran. Maybe we can learn from each other - India's strength in cyclone management, Africa's drought resilience strategies, and Indonesia's tsunami preparedness. Collaboration beats competition in disaster response. 🙏
Just hope this meeting doesn't ignore climate change's role in intensifying disasters. Odisha's coastal communities are facing stronger cyclones each year. Need real tech exchange and funding, not just policy papers. The state government should push for concrete DRR commitments from these nations.
Proud moment for India! Odisha's model of integrating local knowledge with modern technology is genuinely worth studying. The women-led community disaster management teams in rural Odisha deserve global recognition. Also, Puri's Jagannath Temple getting international attention is a bonus! 🚀🌟
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