Puri showcases Odisha’s global leadership in resilience as the holy city hosts BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Meet

Puri has emerged as the centre of global discussions on disaster management with the commencement of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group’s second technical conference. The conference, being held at a hotel in Puri, will be formally inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday (tomorrow, June 4).

Also Read: Puri hosts BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Meet; delegates from 11 Nations gather in Odisha

The three-day international event has brought together delegates, policymakers, and experts from 11 countries to deliberate on disaster preparedness, risk reduction, resilience building, and technological advancements in disaster response.

Representatives from BRICS member nations and partner countries, including Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, China, and India, are participating in the deliberations. International organisations, including UNICEF, have also joined the discussions.

Puri District Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida said the conference offers a significant platform for strengthening international cooperation in disaster management. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) are expected to showcase Odisha’s globally recognised disaster mitigation strategies, particularly its emphasis on achieving ‘zero casualties’ during major natural calamities.

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the summit. The entire conference zone is under CCTV surveillance, while traffic management and VIP movement are being closely monitored. Ten platoons of security personnel have been deployed, with special arrangements for delegates’ visits to Konark and rescue operation demonstrations at Ramachandi.

Adding a cultural dimension to the event, renowned sand artist Manas Sahoo has welcomed the delegates through a unique sand animation highlighting BRICS unity, friendship, peace, cultural harmony, and global cooperation.

“This is the second technical group meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group. Various disaster-related issues are being discussed here on how to resolve them. Various arrangements have been made. Police security has been tightened. Along with this, magistrate deployment, health team deployment, and various visiting officials are present here. Officials from NDMA and OSDMA have also arrived,” the Puri Collector said.

“On the 11th, they have a visit to Konark, followed by a live demonstration of our various disaster response mechanism operations. Currently, the technical group meeting and program are underway. As I said, this is their internal meeting, and the sessions are lined up. A briefing on this will be provided later,” the District Collector stated.

“Tomorrow, the Chief Minister is scheduled to visit. The minute-to-minute schedule will be released, but he will attend the inaugural programme here. Special preparations have been made for this. From police arrangements to ensuring all activities run smoothly, special care has been taken,” Collector Parida added.