Prime Minister Modi addressed the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025 via videoconferencing.
About the Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (DRI)
- DRI refers to infrastructure systems (buildings, roads, power grids, etc.) designed to withstand, adapt to, and recover quickly from natural and man-made disasters (e.g., cyclones, earthquakes, floods).
- Global Initiatives on Disaster Risk Infrastructure:
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): Launched by India (2019).
- UN’s “Early Warnings for All”: Goal to protect every person by 2027.
- OECD’s Resilient Infrastructure Policy: Guides G20 nations on adaptive transport networks.
- Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030)
International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) 2025
- ICDRI is the flagship annual international conference of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
- It serves as a global platform for policymakers, experts, practitioners, and stakeholders to share knowledge and best practices on disaster-resilient infrastructure.
- It supports countries in building robust infrastructure systems through research, capacity building, and technical assistance.
- 2025 was the 7th edition of ICDRI, first hosted in Europe (Nice, France) in collaboration with the French government.
- Theme: “Shaping a Resilient Future for Coastal Regions”—focusing on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal communities vulnerable to climate change.
India’s Five Key Priorities
- Education: Integrate disaster resilience into higher education to build a skilled workforce.
- Global Digital Repository: Document best practices for post-disaster rebuilding.
- Innovative Financing: Ensure developing nations access funds for resilient infrastructure.
- SIDS as “Large Ocean Countries”: Special attention to their unique vulnerabilities.
- Early Warning Systems: Strengthen coordination for timely disaster response.
About Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
- Launched in 2019 by the Prime Minister of India at the UN Climate Action Summit, New York.
- It is a multi-stakeholder global partnership aimed at promoting the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks.
- Headquarter: The CDRI Secretariat is headquartered in New Delhi, India.
- Members: 46 member countries and 8 partner organizations.
- Functions:
- It aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030).
- Contributes to achieving SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
- Addresses the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in developing and climate-sensitive regions.
- CDRI’s Initiatives:
- IRIS Program: CDRI’s Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) program was launched in COP26, Glasgow, 2021, to enhance the resilience of infrastructure systems in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
- Global Infrastructure Resilience Index (GIRI): Measures resilience in major infrastructure sectors, such as power and energy, transport, telecommunications, and water.
- Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF): Launched in 2022 to support technical assistance and capacity building in member countries.
- International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI): Annual flagship event. It is a platform for knowledge exchange among policy makers, engineers, researchers.
- Global Infrastructure Resilience Program (GIRP): Technical program under CDRI for knowledge dissemination.
Significance of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
- Saving Human Lives: Resilient infrastructure (e.g., earthquake-resistant buildings, cyclone shelters) reduces fatalities during disasters.
- Mitigating Economic Losses: Disasters cause $2.3 trillion annually in indirect losses (e.g., supply chain disruptions, lost productivity).
- Climate Change Adaptation: DRI addresses intensifying hazards like floods (permeable pavement), wildfires (fire-resistant materials), and hurricanes (elevated structures).
- Coastal & SIDS Vulnerability: Small Island Developing States (SIDS), termed “Large Ocean Countries” by India, face existential threats.
- Sustainable Development & Equity: Resilient infrastructure ensures continuity of critical services (healthcare, education) for marginalized groups.
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- Developing nations, which suffer 46% GDP losses from disasters (vs. 0.23% in North America), benefit from DRI financing (e.g., Green Climate Fund).
Indian Government Initiatives in Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
- PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan (2021): A digital platform integrating infrastructure planning of 16 ministries.
- Promotes coordinated infrastructure development with disaster and climate resilience as a core objective.
- National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), 2016: First-ever national plan aligned with the Sendai Framework.
- Focus on risk reduction in critical infrastructure sectors (energy, transport, water, telecom). Promotes Build Back Better in post-disaster reconstruction.
- BIS Standards for Disaster Resilience: The Bureau of Indian Standards has developed structural codes (e.g., IS 1893 for earthquake-resistant design).
- Mandated for construction in seismically vulnerable zones. Includes codes for cyclone, landslide, and flood-prone regions.
- AMRUT 2.0 and Smart Cities Mission: Urban infrastructure upgraded with resilience to climate risks (stormwater drainage, early warning systems).
- Smart Cities integrate disaster management systems, e.g., Command and Control Centres.
- Jal Jeevan Mission & Namami Gange: Focus on resilient water infrastructure, especially in drought/flood-prone areas.
- River rejuvenation efforts include disaster mitigation components.
- Disaster Resilient Power Systems: Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) includes underground cabling and smart meters for disaster resilience.
- Climate Resilient Infrastructure under NAPCC: Missions under National Action Plan on Climate Change (e.g., National Mission on Sustainable Habitat) promote resilient urban planning.
- Capacity Building and Risk Assessment Tools: National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) conducts training and policy advisory.
- Tools like CRISP (Climate Resilient Infrastructure Services Program) promote municipal-level resilience planning.
Challenges in Adopting Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure (DRI)
- High Costs of Construction: Retrofitting existing infrastructure or building new resilient systems requires substantial investment.
- For example, flood-resistant construction can cost 30-50% more than conventional methods.
- Funding Gaps: Developing nations and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) struggle to secure funds. Only 5% of global disaster funding is allocated for pre-disaster resilience.
- Weak Regulatory Frameworks & Enforcement: Many regions lack enforceable building codes for resilience.
- In India, unauthorized constructions and outdated regulations exacerbate risks.
- Policy Fragmentation: Disjointed policies across sectors (e.g., urban planning, energy, transport) hinder cohesive DRI implementation.
- Technological & Material Limitations: Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) steelmaking requires >67% Fe-content iron ore, which is scarce and costly.
- Social & Institutional Resistance: Policymakers and communities often prioritize short-term gains over long-term resilience.
- Urban sprawl and slums in Mumbai and Delhi in hazard-prone areas persists due to political and economic pressures.
- Climate Uncertainty & Risk Assessment: Rising frequency of compound disasters (e.g., floods + landslides) complicates resilience planning.
Way Forward
- Strengthen Policy & Governance Frameworks: Integrate DRI compliance into national building codes (e.g., India’s Disaster Management Amendment Act 2025 mandates resilience in urban planning).
- Localized Disaster Management: Empower District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) for decentralized action.
- Establish Urban Disaster Management Authorities in high-risk cities (e.g., Mumbai’s flood-resilient Coastal Road project).
- Leverage Technology & Innovation: Expand India’s tsunami alert system (benefiting 29 countries) to cover floods, cyclones, and landslides.
- Use AI-driven risk modeling (e.g., Hyderabad’s flood prediction tools).
- Enhance Financing & Investment: Combine public funds with private capital (e.g., CDRI’s $50M fund for Small Island States).
- Subsidize low-carbon DRI technologies (e.g., India’s ₹4.55B green steel pilots using hydrogen).
- Focus on High-Risk Regions: Treat Small Island States as “Large Ocean Countries” with tailored solutions (e.g., CDRI’s IRIS program for 25 SIDS).
- Invest in nature-based solutions (mangroves, coral reefs) to mitigate storm surges in coastal and island nations.
- Build Capacity & Global Collaboration: Integrate DRI courses into universities. Train community first responders (e.g., India’s Aapda Mitra volunteers).
- Expand CDRI’s membership (54+ nations) to include more African and island nations.
Conclusion
The path to DRI adoption requires policy coherence, cutting-edge tech, sustainable financing, and inclusive governance. India’s CDRI leadership and global partnerships are shaping a resilient future, especially for vulnerable coastal and island nations.
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030):
- The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) is a 15-year global agreement adopted by the UN in 2015 to reduce disaster risks and enhance resilience.
- It succeeds the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005–2015) and aligns with other global agendas like the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key Components of the Sendai Framework:
- Four Priorities for Action; The framework identifies four priority areas to guide disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts:
- Understanding Disaster Risk: Focuses on risk assessment, including vulnerability, exposure, and hazard analysis.
- Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance: Promotes policies, laws, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
- Investing in DRR for Resilience: Encourages public/private investments in structural (e.g., flood barriers) and non-structural (e.g., early warnings) measures.
- Enhancing Preparedness & “Build Back Better”: Aims to improve response systems and integrate DRR into post-disaster recovery.
- Role of UNDRR: The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction coordinates global progress tracking via the Sendai Framework Monitor.
- Link to SDGs: Explicitly tied to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities).
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