Emerging Economies, Disaster Risk Reduction, and South–South Cooperation: The Case of Mexico

The emerging economies attract global attention, with intense debate over the question of what they contribute to the global agenda that is distinctive and new. These economies differ from each other in various economic, political and cultural ways, but hold a brand understand- ing and approach on key challenges of sustainable development, climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction (DRR). This approach contributes to advancing South–South co- operation (SSC). This article focuses on the approach of these economies to DRR, using the case of Mexico, a so-called ‘MINT’ emerging economy, to examine this question. Mexico, one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, has been applauded by lead- ing international DRR figures for its commitment and practical response to DRR. The article explores this DRR response and what Mexico’s story has to offer to other countries in the context of SSC and its emerging role in international development cooperation (IDC). It ar- gues that Mexico’s DRR story has many important positive aspects to contribute to SSC knowledge-sharing and IDC, but it also illustrates continuing challenges of financing, admin- istration and politics for emerging and developing economies alike.