The Biggest Lesson from BRICS? Cities Must Protect People Before Disaster Strikes

Communities must be placed at the heart of urban planning and disaster preparedness if cities are to withstand the growing impacts of climate change, experts from BRICS nations concluded during technical discussions on Voluntary Principles for Climate-Smart Urban Resilient Infrastructure .

The virtual meetings, held under India's BRICS Chairship in 2026 , brought together technical experts from member nations to develop a common framework for building cities that are better prepared for heatwaves, floods and other climate-related emergencies while ensuring uninterrupted access to essential public services.

Speaking after the discussions, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Member Krishna Swaroop Vatsa said one message emerged clearly from all participating countries — urban resilience must be people-centric .

He said experts stressed that cities should become more caring and protective, particularly for people from weaker socio-economic backgrounds , by ensuring that communities are actively involved in both planning and implementation of disaster management strategies. According to him, this inclusive approach received broad support from all BRICS member countries.

The discussions also explored ways to strengthen city-level infrastructure , improve flood monitoring systems , enhance heatwave management , and prepare urban centres for multiple hazards that are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

Delegates exchanged experiences on innovative programmes being implemented across BRICS nations, with the aim of identifying practical solutions that can be adapted by cities facing different climate risks. The talks also highlighted the need to strengthen local disaster management institutions, improve monitoring mechanisms and equip local governments with greater resources to respond effectively during emergencies.

Vatsa noted that the negotiations witnessed broad consensus , with differences limited to preferred terminology rather than the substance of the proposed principles.

He emphasised that the voluntary guidelines are designed to remain flexible , allowing every country to implement them according to its own geographical conditions, development priorities and socio-economic realities.

The BRICS framework is intended to serve as a non-binding roadmap for strengthening climate-smart urban infrastructure and deepening cooperation among member countries. A joint statement and several publications are expected to be finalised following the third BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting on July 22-23 , with formal ministerial adoption scheduled for July 24 .

As climate risks continue to intensify worldwide, the initiative aims to help cities become not only more resilient but also more inclusive, ensuring that vulnerable communities remain protected when disasters strike.