A senior Indian delegation, led by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. P.K. Mishra, participated in the G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRWG) Ministerial Meeting from October 30 to November 1 in Belem, Brazil. The team was instrumental in finalizing the first Ministerial declaration on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), emphasizing India’s achievements in disaster risk management and funding.
Dr. Mishra outlined India’s proactive approach, focusing on five priorities set during its G-20 presidency: early warning systems, disaster-resilient infrastructure, financing for DRR, resilient recovery, and nature-based solutions. He highlighted the Prime Minister’s Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which now includes 40 countries and seven international organizations.
Reiterating India’s commitment to the Sendai Framework, Dr. Mishra called for increased global cooperation in knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and sustainable development to enhance disaster resilience. The Indian delegation also engaged in Troika meetings with ministers from Brazil and South Africa and conducted bilateral discussions with representatives from Japan, Norway, South Korea, Germany, and various international organizations.
In light of the United Nations Secretary-General’s warning regarding extreme heat, Dr. Mishra shared India’s strategies, which involve promoting traditional practices suited to local conditions. The DRR Working Group was established by India during its G-20 presidency in 2023, and Dr. Mishra praised Brazil for its continued efforts in this area, assuring India’s support for South Africa’s upcoming G-20 presidency.
