Dr P.K. Mishra Calls for Global Action on Disaster Risk Reduction
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr P.K. Mishra, has reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening global cooperation in disaster risk reduction (DRR), calling for a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach to address growing global risks.
He made the remarks while addressing a high-level meeting of senior officials organised by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in New Delhi.
The meeting, co-chaired by India and the United Kingdom, focused on emerging challenges posed by climate change, rapid urbanisation, infrastructure expansion and environmental degradation.
Dr Mishra emphasised that the coming decade should prioritise not only saving human lives but also protecting development gains and reducing economic losses caused by disasters.
Highlighting the limitations of traditional approaches, Dr Mishra noted that despite significant progress in early warning systems and emergency response mechanisms, economic damages from disasters remain substantial.
He stressed the need to move beyond departmental silos and adopt a holistic understanding of interconnected risks.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, he called for accelerated implementation by 2030 and underscored the importance of investing in preparedness, mitigation measures and institutional capacity-building.
Dr Mishra also highlighted India’s leadership in disaster management under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing initiatives such as the Ten-Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction (2016) and the Disaster Mitigation Act, 2025.
He emphasised that investments in disaster management should generate measurable outcomes and be integrated into long-term development planning through resilient infrastructure, stronger urban institutions and nature-based solutions.
Stressing the role of technology, he advocated the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems and improve response capabilities.
He also called for proactive recovery planning to ensure that reconstruction efforts reduce, rather than reinforce, existing vulnerabilities.
Dr Mishra further highlighted India’s contributions during its G20 Presidency in 2023, including the establishment of a dedicated Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, and noted the country’s continued engagement on disaster resilience within the BRICS framework.
Concluding his address, he outlined three priorities for the international community: deeper understanding of interconnected risks, increased investment in resilient infrastructure and sustainable development, and stronger international cooperation to build a safer and more resilient future.
