I warmly welcome you all to India for the 6th edition of the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Your presence significantly contributes to the global discourse and decision-making on this critical issue.
In recent years, the growth of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) has been remarkable. Since its establishment in 2019, CDRI has evolved into a global coalition comprising 39 countries and 7 organizations, representing significant progress for the future.
We’ve observed a troubling trend of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters. While their economic impact is often quantified in monetary terms, their toll on individuals, families, and communities transcends mere numbers. Earthquakes devastate homes, disrupt water and sanitation systems, and pose risks to energy infrastructure, highlighting the human impact of these events.
Investing in resilient infrastructure today is crucial for ensuring a safer tomorrow. Resilience should be integrated into both the planning and construction of new infrastructure and post-disaster reconstruction efforts. While immediate responses to disasters understandably focus on relief and rehabilitation, it’s equally important to prioritize infrastructure resilience during the recovery phase.
Disasters recognize no borders; in our interconnected world, their effects are felt globally. Achieving collective resilience requires strengthening individual resilience in each nation. The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and forums like this conference provide avenues for collective action towards this shared goal.
Supporting the most vulnerable communities is essential to achieving collective resilience. Small Island Developing States, for example, face heightened risks from disasters. CDRI’s initiatives, such as funding projects in 13 vulnerable locations, demonstrate a commitment to supporting these communities, including resilient housing projects and enhanced early warning systems.
During India’s G20 Presidency, significant progress was made with the establishment of a new Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, emphasizing the importance of financing discussions. Together with the expansion of CDRI, these initiatives pave the way for a more resilient future. I am confident that the next two days of discussions at the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure will yield fruitful outcomes.
