DEPUTY MINISTER BURNS-NCAMASHE PARTICIPATES IN BRICS MINISTERIAL ROUNDTABLE ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Rev. Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, will participate in the BRICS Ministerial Roundtable on Accelerating the Implementation of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan (2025–2028).

Held under the theme, “From Commitments to Collective Action: Accelerating Implementation of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan (2025–2028),” the Ministerial Roundtable will bring together Ministers responsible for disaster risk management from BRICS Member Countries, heads of disaster management agencies, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), international organisations and knowledge partners.

The Roundtable provides an important platform for BRICS countries to assess progress in implementing the Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan and to identify practical mechanisms for accelerating cooperation and delivering measurable outcomes before 2028. The Work Plan seeks to strengthen cooperation across key areas, including reducing vulnerabilities and inequalities, multi-hazard early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and the integration of traditional, local and national knowledge into disaster risk reduction systems.

Deputy Minister Burns-Ncamashe will participate in the discussions focused on translating shared commitments into practical and coordinated action that strengthens disaster resilience across BRICS countries.

The Roundtable takes place at a critical point in the implementation cycle of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan. It presents an opportunity for Ministers to provide strategic guidance on how the Work Plan can move from policy commitments to tangible results through strengthened institutional partnerships, technical cooperation and measurable initiatives.

South Africa continues to advocate for disaster risk reduction approaches that place communities at the centre of resilience-building efforts. This includes strengthening early warning systems, improving preparedness, promoting resilient infrastructure and ensuring that local knowledge and community participation are incorporated into disaster risk management.

The discussions will further contribute to strengthening South-South cooperation and advancing the collective voice of the Global South in international disaster risk governance. BRICS cooperation provides an important platform for countries to share knowledge, technical expertise and operational experience in responding to the increasing risks posed by climate change and disasters.

Details of the Ministerial Roundtable are as follows:

Date: 24 July 2026

Time: 09h00

Venue: New Delhi, India

Ends –

For media enquiries, kindly contact:

Mr Legadima Leso

Head of Communications

Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA)

Cell: +27 (66) 479 9904

Issued by the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

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