New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) India on Friday called on BRICS member countries to strengthen cooperation in science and technology, early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions and community resilience to make disaster risk reduction an integral part of sustainable development.
The BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) chaired by India concluded with the unanimous adoption of the joint statement on DRR, reaffirming the collective commitment of member countries to accelerate implementation of the group’s DRR Work Plan 2025-28 and deepen cooperation for building resilient societies, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said.
BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation comprising several member countries, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
In his address, Rai stated that the evolution of BRICS cooperation — from the Udaipur Declaration (2016) to the Kazan Declaration (2024) and the establishment of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Group — reflects the growing recognition that disaster risk reduction is central to sustainable development, climate resilience and human security.
Organised by the National Disaster Management Authority, the meeting marked a significant milestone in the evolution of BRICS cooperation on disaster risk reduction, Rai said.
Under India’s chairship, the group has adopted a practical and action-oriented approach under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” he said, appreciating Brazil for elevating the DRR Group to the ministerial level.
The minister said that India’s people-centric approach is guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 10-point agenda for disaster risk reduction.
He also highlighted India’s five strategic priorities to accelerate implementation of the BRICS DRR Work Plan 2025-28.
Rai called upon the member countries to “strengthen cooperation in science and technology, early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions and community resilience to make disaster risk reduction an integral part of sustainable development.” “The ministerial meeting featured a high-level policy dialogue on ‘Advancing Climate-Smart and Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure Systems: Partnerships, Innovation and Financing for Resilient Development’, where ministers deliberated on resilient infrastructure, innovative financing, emerging technologies and international partnerships to address increasing disaster and climate risks,” a government statement said.
It said the ministerial roundtable on “Accelerating Implementation of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan 2025-28” enabled the member countries to exchange experiences and identify practical pathways to strengthen institutional cooperation, capacity building, knowledge sharing and implementation of the agreed priorities.
“As part of India’s chairship, six flagship knowledge products were launched to support evidence-based policymaking, institutional strengthening, capacity building and practical implementation of disaster risk reduction initiatives across BRICS member countries,” it said.
The participating countries emphasised strengthening practical and action-oriented cooperation through regular technical exchanges, joint projects, simulation exercises, technical expert exchanges and annual thematic work streams to promote knowledge-sharing, innovation and measurable outcomes in disaster resilience, the statement said.
The meeting was attended by ministers and heads of delegations of 10 BRICS member countries, who showed their commitment for disaster risk reduction.
“The successful conclusion of the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction reinforces BRICS’ collective commitment to advancing resilient, inclusive and sustainable development through strengthened international cooperation on disaster risk reduction,” the statement said. PTI ABS ABS RUK RUK RUK
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