Dr. P K Mishra, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India today said that the G20 platform offers the world a unique opportunity to exercise imagination and find innovative ways to address the problem of disaster risk. While speaking at the inaugural session of the 1st Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency at Gandhinagar today, Dr Mishra said that there is a need to work together to achieve the targets identified in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.  He further said that it was only fitting that the first ever Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Meeting is being held in Gujarat, as the state has a history of showcasing tremendous resolve to not only build back better but also bring several institutional and governance innovations following disasters.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Union Minister of State for Communications, Shri. Devusinh Chauhan welcomed delegates and invitees to the first ever Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting and said that India has been investing in innovative technology and building disaster resilient infrastructure. He highlighted Gujarat’s experience of managing disasters and its successful experiments with strategies for building back better following disasters.

The first day of the G20 meeting focussed on five key priority areas of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group. These included the Global coverage of Early Warning Systems, Increased commitment towards making infrastructure systems disaster-resilient, Stronger national financial frameworks for DRR, Strengthened national and global disaster response systems, and Increased application of ecosystems-based approaches to DRR.

The Side Event on ‘Early Warning, Early Action’ provided an opportunity for delegates to hear from community voices. During the Plenary Session, the chair of the working group, Member Secretary, Shri. Kamal Kishore of National Disaster Management and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction in the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Ms. Mami Mizutori, delivered a keynote presentation and discussed the five priorities of the working group.

Technical Session 1 on Early Warning for All followed the plenary session, where delegates discussed challenges in Financing Early Action, Regional and Sub-Regional Plans of Action, and Risk Knowledge and Preparedness. Delegates from G20 countries, guest invitees, and International Organizations also made interventions on leveraging the power of Early Warning Systems.

The delegates also had the opportunity to enjoy the cultural exhibitions and stalls organized by the Gujarat Government at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 1st Disaster Risk Reduction Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency aims to strengthen global cooperation in disaster risk reduction and to promote resilience in the face of disasters. The outcome of this meeting is expected to provide a roadmap for future actions to ensure a safer and more resilient world.

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