High Commission of India

Colombo

PRESS RELEASE

India Participates at the 4th RIMES Ministerial Conference in Colombo

India participated as a co-chair in the 4th Ministerial Conference of the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 7-9 May 2025.

2. RIMES is an intergovernmental institution that supports its Member States with end-to-end early warning services, capacity building, and disaster risk reduction. India currently serves as the Chair of the RIMES Council, underscoring its leadership in promoting regional collaboration on climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

3. The RIMES Council Meeting took place on 7 May 2025, under the chairmanship of Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India. The Council deliberated on institutional priorities and finalized the draft Ministerial Declaration for consideration by the Conference.

4. The Ministerial Conference followed on the next day, where the Government of India was represented by H.E. Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka. In his address, High Commissioner reiterated India’s steadfast support for RIMES initiatives, including the “Early Warning for All” program and the decentralization of RIMES operations. He also conveyed India’s intent to host the proposed RIMES Regional Centre.

5. The Ministerial Declaration was adopted by RIMES Member States during the Conference, reaffirming their collective commitment to advancing multi-hazard early warning systems, climate services, and disaster-resilient development in the region.

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Colombo

10 May 2025