South Africa’s Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembi Nkadimeng, will host the 5th meeting of the Joint Task Force on Disaster Management for BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

The eThekwini Metro has experienced several disasters resulting in property and infrastructure damage due to climate change, making it a relevant case study for disaster risk reduction through climate-resilient innovations.

COVID-19 also compounded the devastation in the metro, highlighting the need for post-pandemic socio-economic recovery efforts.

The meeting, scheduled for September 8, 2023, will be held under the theme “Strengthening post-pandemic socio-economic recovery in the BRICS countries.” This aligns with South Africa’s priorities of transforming education and skills development, strengthening post-pandemic recovery, and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Key discussion points include:

• Presenting BRICS countries’ positions on strengthening post-pandemic socio-economic recovery in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
• Reflecting on lessons learned from coordinating national disaster responses and impact-based early warning systems to improve early action and safeguard communities.
• Exploring funding mechanisms for recovery and rehabilitation through climate change adaptation, eco-based disaster risk reduction, and community-based planning.

The meetings aim to culminate in a Joint Action Plan and Roadmap for implementation from 2023 to 2024, as well as a revised eThekwini Declaration to be signed by the Ministers.

Participants will include government leaders, heads of national, provincial, and local disaster management centers, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and research institutions.