Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will attend the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Group (DRRG) meeting in Puri on June 4, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari informed on Monday.

Addressing the media, Pujari said Puri has been chosen as the venue for the BRICS 2026 Meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction Group due to Odisha's globally acknowledged success in disaster preparedness and cyclone management. As a coastal region frequently exposed to cyclones, storm surges, and other natural hazards, Odisha has emerged as a model for disaster resilience and risk mitigation.

The three-day international event will be held from June 3 to June 5 at the Taj Puri Resort & Spa and will bring together delegates, policymakers, disaster management experts, and representatives from BRICS member and partner nations.

BRICS, one of the world's most influential geopolitical and economic blocs, comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran and Indonesia. Together, these nations account for nearly half of the global population and more than one-third of the world's GDP.

The meeting follows the first virtual technical session of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, chaired by India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on April 29-30, 2026. The upcoming gathering in Puri will be the first in-person technical meeting under India's BRICS Presidency.

Officials said Odisha was selected as the host state due to its remarkable transformation in disaster management since the devastating 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone. Through sustained investments in early warning systems, evacuation planning, resilient infrastructure, and community-based preparedness, the state has significantly reduced casualties during major cyclones in recent years.

Key Programme Schedule

June 2: Arrival of delegates and informal engagements.

June 3: Side events focusing on community-based disaster governance, disaster risk financing, multi-hazard early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions, indigenous knowledge, and technological innovations in disaster management.

June 4: Technical discussions on sustainable disaster risk reduction financing and inclusive early warning systems, followed by a cultural visit to Konark Sun Temple.

June 5: Sessions on climate-resilient infrastructure, integration of traditional and nature-based solutions, and the role of science and technology in disaster risk reduction. Delegates will also participate in a field visit to observe rescue operations near Ramachandi Beach.

Expected outcomes

The meeting is expected to strengthen cooperation among BRICS nations in disaster risk reduction, facilitate the development of technical reports and policy frameworks, identify scalable financing and innovation models, and enhance knowledge-sharing mechanisms among participating countries.

The event is being viewed as a significant opportunity for Odisha to showcase its disaster management expertise on a global platform while contributing to international efforts aimed at building resilient communities and reducing disaster risks.