India has reiterated its steadfast commitment to global disaster risk reduction and public health cooperation at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2025, currently underway in Geneva.
On the occasion of World Environment Day, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. P. K. Mishra, represented India at the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group Roundtable held on the sidelines of the GPDRR. Addressing the forum, Dr. Mishra underlined the G20’s critical role in fostering collective resilience and integrating economic capacities with development goals to address global disaster challenges.
“Disaster risk reduction must be at the core of our global development strategy. The G20, with its economic and policy influence, can play a transformational role in promoting resilience through international cooperation,” Dr. Mishra said during the roundtable discussion.
In the presence of AU Commissioner Mr. Moses Vilakati and a co-chair representative from France. The development marks another chapter in strengthening Global South collaboration, following the AU’s historic inclusion as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency in 2023.
“India strongly believes in expanding global partnerships to secure a resilient and sustainable future. The AU joining the CDRI reinforces our shared vision of infrastructure that is safe, inclusive and future-ready,” Dr. Mishra said.
On the sidelines of GPDRR, Dr. Mishra also held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). The two leaders discussed India’s expanding engagement with WHO on global public health and traditional medicine.
Dr. Mishra conveyed India’s full support for the Second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi in December 2025.
“India is committed to advancing traditional medicine as a vital pillar of public health. We look forward to welcoming global leaders and practitioners at the Traditional Medicine Summit later this year,” he added.
He also reaffirmed India’s support for the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which continues to play a key role in integrating traditional practices with modern healthcare systems.