PURI: Under India’s BRICS chairship for the year 2026, the National Disaster Management Authority successfully hosted the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Group meeting in the coastal town of Puri, Odisha, from June 3 to June 5. Following the conclusion of the three-day international event, a joint press conference was organized at Lok Seva Bhavan by the central disaster body and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority to highlight the key outcomes and takeaways of the high-level summit.
Shri Suresh Pujari, Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management Department briefed Media. Shri Krishna Swaroop Vatsa, National Disaster Management Authority Member and Head of the Department; and fellow member Shri Dinesh Kumar Aswal and Smt.Rita Missal joined.
Dr.Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department; Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Special Relief Commissioner and Managing Director;OSDMA and Shri Kamal Lochan Mishra, Executive Director, OSDMA was present.
Centering around the theme of Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability, the summit served as a collaborative platform for senior officials and technical experts representing eight member nations, namely China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The primary objective of the convergence was to deepen mutual strategic cooperation and share structural frameworks for mitigating global disaster risks.
The international conference offered a prime stage for Odisha to exhibit its globally acclaimed disaster management protocols to a foreign delegation. Inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Odisha, the sessions allowed state representatives to present their administrative milestones in setting up advanced early warning networks, executing precise cyclone preparedness, organizing large-scale evacuation blueprints, and driving community-led crisis responses. The visiting delegates praised the state’s historical trajectory in safeguarding human life during volatile weather crises, specifically noting Odisha’s sustained operational capability to secure near-zero casualty figures during intense cyclonic storms.
Local administrative officials and emergency response experts interacted directly with the visiting international specialists, creating a robust avenue for knowledge exchange regarding modern risk mitigation tactics. As part of the field itinerary, the foreign delegates observed a live water rescue simulation conducted by the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force at Ramchandi beach. The demonstration effectively put on display the state’s tactical readiness, localized emergency gear, and rapid deployment procedures during severe floods and maritime emergencies.
In tandem with the core administrative agenda, the three-day convention acted as a cultural window to promote the state’s rich historical legacy and regional tourism. The visiting dignitaries toured the iconic Konark Sun Temple, a renowned heritage site, and attended exclusive showcases of classical Odissi, martial Chhau, traditional Jatra folk theater, and various indigenous tribal dance and musical performances.
The seamless execution of the global event has solidified Odisha’s position on the international map as an administrative pioneer in disaster safety and infrastructure resilience. The targets achieved during the summit mirror the foundational developmental roadmap of the Viksit Odisha 2036 vision, which prioritizes the permanent elimination of casualties during natural calamities, the construction of climate-resilient public infrastructure, the technological modernization of emergency response forces, and the insulation of local livelihoods from environmental shocks.