Showcasing Odisha’s globally acclaimed disaster management framework and its growing leadership in climate resilience, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday inaugurated the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRG) Technical Meeting in Puri, calling for stronger international cooperation to tackle the growing challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters.
The three-day meeting has brought together policymakers, disaster management experts and representatives from 11 BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran and Indonesia — to deliberate on strategies for building resilient communities and sustainable futures.
Welcoming the delegates, Majhi said Odisha’s selection as the venue for the prestigious gathering is a recognition of the state’s remarkable achievements in disaster preparedness and risk reduction.
He noted that the meeting’s theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” mirrors Odisha’s own development philosophy and its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods from natural calamities.
Highlighting Odisha’s transformation into a global benchmark for disaster management, the Chief Minister said the state’s disaster preparedness architecture has been built around the guiding principle of “Zero Casualty.”
Despite facing recurrent cyclones, floods, heatwaves, lightning strikes and coastal erosion, Odisha has consistently demonstrated its ability to minimise human loss through timely evacuations, robust early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, institutional preparedness and extensive community participation.
“Odisha’s journey has shown that with proactive planning, strong institutions and people-centric governance, the devastating impact of disasters can be significantly reduced,” Majhi said.
He added that the state has continuously strengthened its disaster management ecosystem through evidence-based planning, technology-driven forecasting systems, capacity building and inclusive governance mechanisms, making it a model for disaster resilience not only in India but across the world.
The Chief Minister cautioned that climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, creating new challenges for vulnerable regions such as Odisha. He stressed that disaster risk reduction can no longer be viewed as a standalone sector but must be integrated into broader development planning, economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Referring to emerging climate-induced risks, including urban flooding, rising temperatures and coastal vulnerabilities, he called for greater investment in adaptation measures, resilient infrastructure and technological innovation.
Underscoring the importance of resilient infrastructure in disaster response, Majhi highlighted the recently approved 160-km Greenfield Coastal Highway from Rameswar to Paradeep via Konark, with an estimated investment of Rs 8,301 crore.
The project, he said, will serve as a critical lifeline along Odisha’s cyclone-prone coastline by providing an alternative transportation corridor for rapid evacuation, seamless movement of essential supplies and faster deployment of emergency and relief services during natural disasters.
Beyond its economic significance, the highway is expected to play a transformative role in strengthening the state’s long-term disaster resilience and climate adaptation capabilities.
Emphasising the need to build resilient urban centres, the Chief Minister advocated climate-responsive urban planning, sustainable land-use management and comprehensive heat action strategies to address the challenges arising from rapid urbanisation and rising temperatures.
He observed that cities must be equipped to withstand future climate shocks while ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.
Majhi highlighted the growing relevance of the BRICS platform in promoting cooperation among emerging economies on issues such as disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, resilient infrastructure and institutional capacity building.
He called for deeper collaboration in the areas of early warning systems, disaster forecasting technologies, knowledge sharing and community-based resilience initiatives.
“BRICS offers a unique opportunity to strengthen partnerships and foster collective action for a safer and more resilient future. The time has come to convert discussions into tangible outcomes that benefit vulnerable communities across the world,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the deliberations being held in Puri, the Chief Minister said the outcomes of the meeting have the potential to shape future global approaches to disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
He added that the ‘Puri Deliberations’ could emerge as a landmark contribution to international efforts aimed at building disaster-resilient societies, while further reinforcing Odisha’s position as a recognised leader in disaster preparedness and risk management.