Ministerial Conference of the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), has unanimously adopted Declaration, reinforcing regional cooperation in disaster preparedness.

India participated as co-chair at the 4th Ministerial Conference held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, between 7th and 9th of this month. RIMES is an intergovernmental body that provides early warning services, disaster risk reduction strategies, and capacity building to its Member States.

India currently chairs the RIMES Council, reflecting its leadership in regional climate resilience efforts. The Council Meeting, chaired by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, was held on 7 May and finalized the draft Ministerial Declaration.

The Conference, held the following day, was attended by India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, who reaffirmed India’s commitment to RIMES initiatives such as the “Early Warning for All” program. He also expressed India’s readiness to host the proposed RIMES Regional Centre.