Bhubaneswar: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of the Union Government is hosting the BRICS 2026 Meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction Group (DRRG) at Odisha’s Puri town.

The three-day meeting, themed ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’, commenced on Wednesday. It brought together senior officials and technical experts from BRICS member countries namely, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates to strengthen cooperation in disaster risk reduction (DRR).

Discussions during the meeting will focus on key areas such as community-based disaster risk reduction, financing for disaster risk management, multi-hazard early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and the use of science, technology and innovation to strengthen disaster resilience.

The meeting is expected to further strengthen BRICS cooperation in building resilient society and sustainable disaster risk reduction frameworks through shared learning, collaboration and exchange of experiences in addressing common disaster challenges.

Odisha has been selected as the host state in recognition of its globally acknowledged disaster preparedness systems, particularly its record of zero casualties in cyclone management, early warning dissemination, evacuation planning and community-based response mechanisms.

As part of the programme, delegates will witness a demonstration by the Odisha State Disaster Response Force (ODRAF) on water rescue preparedness and response at Ramchandi. The delegates will also interact with trained community volunteers in a programme organised the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) to observe Odisha’s best practices in coastal disaster resilience and community preparedness. Besides, they will visit Konark, the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, senior officials of the NDMA, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs are scheduled to attend the three-day programme.