S20 2026 Joint Statement: Five Science-Led Action Areas for Disaster Preparedness

The news

The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) has endorsed the Joint S20 Statement released by the science academies of the G20 countries on November 10, 2026, under the leadership of the United States National Academy of Sciences. INSA, an institution of the Department of Science and Technology, participated in the Science20 (S20) 2026 process and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting science-based approaches to address global challenges. The statement is intended to inform discussions within G20 governments and will be presented ahead of the G20 Summit scheduled for December 2026 in Miami, Florida.

The Joint Statement highlights opportunities for governments to harness advanced technologies to strengthen preparedness and response to natural hazards such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, droughts, wildfires, and extreme heat and cold events. It identifies five key areas for action: strengthening data collection and understanding of risk; enabling safe, secure and equitable access to data and technology; building local skills and capacity and designing context-specific solutions; strengthening human decision-making and governance; and advancing international and cross-sector collaboration. The statement underscores that technology should enhance, rather than replace, human expertise, and that effective disaster resilience requires locally relevant solutions supported by strong scientific collaboration and institutional partnerships.

What are the five action areas in the statement?

The Joint S20 Statement identifies five key areas for action. First, strengthening data collection and understanding of risk by improving observation systems and the availability of reliable data on hazards, exposure and vulnerability. Second, enabling safe, secure and equitable access to data and technology through data sharing, common standards, interoperability and resilient systems, while respecting national responsibilities for data governance, safety, security and privacy. Third, building local skills and capacity and designing context-specific solutions by investing in education, workforce development, training and community engagement. Fourth, strengthening human decision-making and governance to ensure that advanced technologies complement human expertise through appropriate oversight, local validation, transparency, accountability and effective communication of risks. Fifth, advancing international and cross-sector collaboration among governments, academia, industry, civil society, communities and international organisations, with an emphasis on co-producing knowledge and technology.

How will the recommendations be taken forward?

INSA will endeavour to bring the recommendations of the statement to the attention of relevant national stakeholders and facilitate engagement among scientific experts, research institutions and government agencies. Through its national and international networks, INSA will continue to encourage interdisciplinary research, knowledge exchange and collaboration in areas relevant to disaster preparedness and resilience. The S20 engagement is expected to continue under the leadership of the Royal Society in 2027.