Hosted by the Ministry of Emergency Management of China,  the 4th Meeting of BRICS Joint Task Force on Disaster Management was held virtually in Beijing on April 29. Representatives of the BRICS Joint Task Force on Disaster Management and their respective points of contact attended the meeting to discuss the future direction of cooperation, as well as to exchange views on the proposed events, activities and achievements under the mechanism of BRICS Ministers for Disaster Management in 2022.

In its statement, the Chinese side highlighted that the meeting of BRICS Joint Task Force on Disaster Management was one of the important and practical moves taken by the BRICS disaster management agencies to implement the consensus reached at the BRICS Summits on strengthening exchange and cooperation in the field of disaster management among BRICS countries. As the first event held, this meeting aimed to build consensus and accumulate achievements through communication and exchange, so as to lay a solid foundation for the preparations for the Meeting of BRICS Ministers for Disaster Management and other supporting activities this year. Under its chairship of BRICS this year, China is willing to work with BRICS disaster management agencies to strengthen solidarity and coordination and invigorate BRICS cooperation, enhance the comprehensive capabilities of member countries in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief, as well as jointly respond to disaster risk challenges. It also suggested that BRICS countries should participate in the global disaster governance in a more active manner so as to increase their influence globally.

Representatives of BRICS countries expressed their appreciation to China for organizing this meeting, and supported China's plan to hold the series of events and activities under the mechanism of BRICS Ministers for Disaster Management in 2022，and offered to participate actively. They also expressed their interest in sharing and exchanging ideas and experience with member countries, so as to jointly upgrade their level of disaster management and promote global disaster management cooperation. They confirmed that they would maintain close communication with China on the follow-up plans and achievements based on the principle of consultation and consensus.

(Source: Ministry of Emergency Management of China)