Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, led India’s delegation at the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Ministerial Meeting, hosted under the South African Presidency, where Ministers adopted the Declaration “Resilience for All: Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction through Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” on 13th October coinciding with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
In his keynote address, Dr. Mishra underscored India’s conviction that disaster risk reduction was not a cost but a collective investment in our shared future.
He emphasized India’s pioneering role in creating the G20 DRR Working Group (2023) and its continued commitment to advancing multi-hazard early warning systems, leveraging anticipatory financing for anticipatory action, and promoting public-private partnerships for resilience.
He reiterated India’s leadership through the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which had extended technical assistance to 50 countries.
Dr. Mishra applauded South Africa’s presidency for advancing a spirit of partnership and amplifying Africa’s perspectives within the disaster risk reduction agenda.
During the Ministerial Roundtable on the Voluntary High-Level Principles for Investing in DRR, Dr Mishra highlighted India’s integrated approach built on risk information, financing strategy, innovation, and local-level investment.
India’s governance framework embedded DRR within its National Adaptation Plan, sectoral policies, and financing windows, ensuring that resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability were woven into every level of development planning.
On the sidelines, Dr. Mishra engaged in bilateral meetings with South African Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Hon. Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa, Australia’s Minister for Emergency Management Ms. Kristy McBain, as well as Head of Delegations from other G20 members and international organizations, reinforcing cooperative efforts toward disaster resilience.
Concluding the event, Dr. Mishra reaffirmed India’s dedication to advancing the Declaration’s commitments domestically and through international partnerships.
