KPMG in India has entered a strategic partnership with the United Nations Global Education and Training Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR GETI) to bolster disaster risk reduction and resilience efforts across India, combining global expertise with local implementation.
KPMG in India has signed a Statement of Cooperation (SoC) with UNDRR GETI, an institute under the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) – the UN’s lead agency for coordinating international action on disaster resilience. The agreement is aimed at embedding disaster risk reduction (DRR) principles across Indian society and governance systems, addressing growing climate and disaster challenges.
India, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries due to its vast and varied geography, faces frequent floods, cyclones, earthquakes and heatwaves. These events, exacerbated by climate change, threaten lives, livelihoods and economic development across the nation. Recent UN reports highlight that economic losses from disasters far exceed billions annually, with mounting human and environmental costs underscoring the urgency for effective risk mitigation and preparedness.
Against this backdrop, the KPMG–UNDRR GETI partnership seeks to translate global DRR frameworks – notably the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 – into practical, scalable actions adapted to India’s context.
“The collaboration with UNDRR marks a significant step in translating global disaster risk reduction frameworks into actionable programmes that strengthen resilience in line with the Sendai Framework,” said Sanjaya Bhatia, Head of UNDRR GETI.
Building Local Expertise and Institutional Capacity
Under the terms of the SoC, the partnership will focus on three core pillars:
- Capacity Building: KPMG professionals will undergo UNDRR-certified training programmes, developing deep, practice-ready expertise in disaster risk reduction. This builds a cadre of trained DRR specialists embedded within India’s public and private sectors.
- Urban Resilience Under MCR2030: The collaboration aims to support Indian cities in strengthening urban resilience using the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) framework, a global initiative to help local governments plan, invest and implement holistic disaster risk strategies.
- Policy Advisory and Integrated Planning: KPMG and UNDRR GETI will advise national, state and city governments on designing and implementing robust disaster risk strategies, embedding resilience into development planning from the earliest stages of projects and policies.
“Through our collaboration with UNDRR, KPMG in India is committed to supporting ongoing government efforts on disaster risk reduction by strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing governance frameworks, and embedding resilience into development planning,” said Nilachal Mishra, Partner and Head of Government & Public Services at KPMG in India.
Action on the Ground and Long-Term Vision
The SoC formalises a programme of work that includes technical advisory services, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and long-term capacity development. By integrating climate change adaptation into mainstream planning, the initiative aims to ensure that infrastructure, social services and economic programmes are built with resilience at their core – rather than as an afterthought.
“The collaboration with UNDRR, through this Statement of Cooperation, marks the start of a long-term, action-oriented collaboration to translate global frameworks into measurable resilience outcomes on the ground,” added Sandeep Paidi, Partner and Lead for Human, Health and Social Services at KPMG in India.
The signing of the SoC positions KPMG in India as a strategic contributor to disaster resilience efforts – not just within India, but as part of a global movement to build safer, more sustainable and better-prepared communities. The agreement also creates career pathways for professionals within the firm to become certified experts in disaster risk reduction, reflecting a commitment to institutionalize resilience skills locally.
India’s Broader Global Commitments
This partnership aligns with India’s broader commitments to international cooperation on disaster risk reduction. In June 2025, India’s Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P K Mishra, reaffirmed India’s dedication to building resilience at the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, emphasising the role of partnerships and knowledge exchange in protecting communities and development gains.
India has also been active in global fora, strengthening collaboration through mechanisms such as the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) – initiatives that enhance shared learning on early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and financing for DRR.
A Model for Public-Private Action
Experts say that effective disaster risk reduction requires a multi-sectoral approach, bringing together government, civil society, international agencies and the private sector. The KPMG–UNDRR GETI partnership reflects this model, recognising that risk reduction and climate adaptation must be woven into governance systems, investment decisions and urban planning.
As climatic threats intensify and disasters become more frequent, partnerships like this could define India’s resilience strategy – strengthening communities, safeguarding economic development, and protecting the most vulnerable.
Image: India Water Portal
