Why in News?
The BRICS Technical Meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group commenced in Puri, Odisha, on June 3, 2026, under India’s BRICS Presidency 2026.
The meeting is important for exams because it connects three areas:
- International relations: BRICS and Global South cooperation
- Disaster management: disaster risk reduction and climate resilience
- Governance: Odisha’s disaster management model
Key Facts for Prelims
| Point | Exam-Relevant Fact |
|---|---|
| Event | BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group technical meeting |
| Place | Puri, Odisha |
| Dates | June 3-5, 2026 |
| Hosted under | India’s BRICS Presidency 2026 |
| Main focus | Disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, early warning, resilient infrastructure |
| Why Odisha? | Known for cyclone preparedness, early warning systems, evacuation planning and disaster response |
| Static link | Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 |
Why the Puri Meeting Matters?
The Puri meeting highlights disaster risk reduction as a major area of BRICS cooperation. This is important because climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as cyclones, floods, heatwaves and droughts.
For India, the meeting is significant because:
- India is holding the BRICS Chairship in 2026.
- India’s BRICS theme is Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
- Disaster risk reduction fits directly under the Resilience pillar.
- Odisha’s cyclone management model is being showcased internationally.
Odisha Model of Disaster Management
Odisha is frequently cited as an important case study in disaster preparedness because the state has improved its ability to manage cyclones and other natural disasters.
Important features:
- Multi-hazard early warning systems
- Cyclone shelters and evacuation planning
- Community-level preparedness
- Coordination between state agencies and local administration
- Use of technology for alerts and response
- Focus on reducing loss of life during cyclones
What is BRICS?
BRICS is an intergovernmental grouping of major emerging economies. It began as BRIC with Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined later, making it BRICS.
For exams, BRICS is important because it represents:
- Voice of the Global South
- Reform of global governance institutions
- South-South cooperation
- Alternative development finance through the New Development Bank
- Cooperation in economy, technology, health, agriculture, climate, disaster management and security
BRICS Membership
The original BRICS members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Recent expansion added Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
Institutional Pillars of BRICS
New Development Bank
The New Development Bank was established by BRICS countries. The agreement for establishing the bank was signed during the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2014.
- Headquarters: Shanghai, China
- Focus: Infrastructure and sustainable development projects
- Earlier known as: BRICS Development Bank
- Membership: Open beyond BRICS countries
- Exam importance: Alternative development finance institution linked to Global South
Contingent Reserve Arrangement
The BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement was also signed in Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2014.
Purpose:
- Provides financial support during short-term balance of payments pressure
- Helps member countries face global liquidity shocks
- Acts as a financial safety mechanism
India and BRICS 2026
India is holding the BRICS Chairship in 2026 and will host the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026.
India’s BRICS 2026 theme is Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
India’s focus areas include disaster risk reduction, agriculture and food security, health cooperation, energy security, supply chain resilience, innovation and emerging technologies, and reform of global governance institutions.
Interconnected Static Subject: Sendai Framework
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is a global framework adopted in Sendai, Japan, in 2015.
Its four priorities are:
- Understanding disaster risk
- Strengthening disaster risk governance
- Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience
- Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and Build Back Better in recovery
Quick Revision Table
| Term | Meaning | Exam Importance |
|---|---|---|
| BRICS | Grouping of major emerging economies | Global South, multilateral reform |
| Puri Meeting | BRICS DRR Working Group technical meeting | Disaster management current affairs |
| DRR | Disaster Risk Reduction | Reducing disaster risks before disasters occur |
| Odisha Model | State-level disaster preparedness model | Cyclone management case study |
| Sendai Framework | Global DRR framework 2015-2030 | Four priorities, disaster governance |
| NDB | BRICS development finance institution | Infrastructure and sustainable development |
| CRA | BRICS financial safety mechanism | Balance of payments and liquidity support |
| India BRICS 2026 | India’s BRICS Chairship | Resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability |
Trap / Confusing Points
| Confusing Area | Correct Understanding |
|---|---|
| BRICS vs G7 | BRICS represents emerging economies; G7 represents advanced industrial economies |
| Disaster response vs DRR | Response happens after disaster; DRR focuses on reducing risk before disaster |
| NDB vs CRA | NDB funds development projects; CRA provides liquidity support |
| BRICS vs BIMSTEC | BRICS is a global/emerging economy grouping; BIMSTEC is a Bay of Bengal regional grouping |
| Sendai Framework vs Paris Agreement | Sendai deals with disaster risk reduction; Paris Agreement deals with climate change |
| Odisha Model | Known mainly for disaster preparedness, early warning and cyclone response |
| Saudi Arabia in BRICS | Membership/status should be checked with latest official/exam source due to differing reporting |
Practice MCQs
1. The BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group technical meeting in June 2026 was held in which Indian city?
A. Bhubaneswar
B. Puri
C. Visakhapatnam
D. New Delhi
Answer: B. Puri
Explanation: The BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group technical meeting commenced in Puri, Odisha, on June 3, 2026.
2. The New Development Bank was established by BRICS countries through an agreement signed at which summit?
A. Durban Summit, 2013
B. Fortaleza Summit, 2014
C. Ufa Summit, 2015
D. Goa Summit, 2016
Answer: B. Fortaleza Summit, 2014
Explanation: The agreement establishing the New Development Bank was signed during the 6th BRICS Summit at Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2014.
3. The Sendai Framework is primarily related to:
A. Climate finance
B. Disaster risk reduction
C. Nuclear disarmament
D. Biodiversity conservation
Answer: B. Disaster risk reduction
Explanation: The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 provides global priorities for reducing disaster risks and losses.
4. Which of the following best describes the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement?
A. A global environmental treaty
B. A defence cooperation pact
C. A financial safety mechanism for liquidity and balance of payments pressure
D. A permanent BRICS Parliament
Answer: C. A financial safety mechanism for liquidity and balance of payments pressure
Explanation: CRA was created to help BRICS countries manage short-term liquidity and balance of payments pressures.
5. Which Indian state is being highlighted for its disaster management model in connection with the BRICS DRR meeting in Puri?
A. Gujarat
B. Odisha
C. Kerala
D. Maharashtra
Answer: B. Odisha
Explanation: Odisha’s disaster management model, especially cyclone preparedness and early warning, is being showcased during the BRICS DRR meeting.
