Odisha Hosts First In-Person BRICS DRR Working Group Meeting, Bringing Together 11 Nations

Representatives from 11 BRICS nations will gather in Odisha's Puri from June 3 to 5 for the second technical meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group , highlighting India's efforts to strengthen international cooperation on disaster resilience.

Announcing the event, Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state was chosen as the host due to its globally recognised achievements in cyclone management, disaster preparedness, and early warning systems . Delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran, and Indonesia are expected to attend.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will participate in the inaugural session on June 4. The meeting follows the first BRICS DRR technical gathering, which India chaired virtually in April.

Officials said discussions will focus on sustainable disaster risk reduction financing, resilient infrastructure, anticipatory response mechanisms, and the integration of traditional knowledge into disaster management strategies . Policymakers, technical experts, and disaster management professionals from member countries will take part in the deliberations.

The event is significant for Odisha, which has earned international recognition for reducing disaster-related casualties through improved preparedness and community-based response systems. Hosting the meeting further reinforces the state's reputation as a global model in disaster management.

The gathering also reflects the growing influence of BRICS within the Global South , where member nations are increasingly collaborating on shared challenges such as climate risks, sustainable development, and resilience-building. With the expanded bloc now representing nearly half of the world's population and a substantial share of global economic output, BRICS continues to emerge as an important platform for shaping international cooperation and policy coordination.