About
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is a global partnership of national governments, United Nations agencies and programs, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and academic and research institutions.
- It aims to increase the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks, thereby ensuring sustainable development.
- It was launched in 2019 at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York.
- It is the Government of India’s second major global initiative after the International Solar Alliance, and it demonstrates India’s leadership in climate change and disaster resilience issues.
Members
- Since its inception, 31 countries, six international organizations, and two private sector organizations have joined CDRI as members.
- 6 International Organisations: Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank Group, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), European Union, and European Investment Bank.
- 2 Private Sector Organisations: The Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies and Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment.
- CDRI has steadily increased its membership by attracting a diverse range of economically advanced, developing, and vulnerable countries to climate change and disasters.
Need for CDRI
Infrastructure is a key driver of economic growth. With the growing demands of a burgeoning global population and unpredictable hazard patterns, the extant infrastructure will be put under additional stress, and new infrastructure will be constructed in hazard-prone areas.
- According to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), upgraded disaster resilience of infrastructure is a foundation for sustainable development.
- One of the Sendai Framework targets focuses on infrastructure as an important prerequisite for achieving the other targets of disaster loss reduction under the framework.
- Thus, building an infrastructure system that is resilient to disasters is vital for economic growth with sustainable development.
- While India has been hailed for its reduction in the number of human casualties in disasters, the country lags behind in protecting property and infrastructure during natural disasters or extreme weather events.
- The World Bank calculated that the economic losses due to disasters during the late 90s and early 2000s were close to 2% of the GDP.
Significance of CDRI for India
- CDRI complements the International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- Provide a platform for India to emerge as a global leader in climate Action and Disaster Resilience.
- It boosts India’s soft power, has a wider connotation than just economics, as synergy between disaster risk reduction, Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Accord provides for sustainable and inclusive growth.
- Facilitate India’s support to resilient infrastructure in Africa, Asia, etc.
- Create opportunities for Indian infrastructure & technology firms to expand services abroad.
- Provide access to knowledge, technology, and capacity development for infra developers.
