Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is an international partnership of governments and other agencies working to promote resilience to disasters. Promoted by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CDRI is an important global endeavour. In this article, you can read all about the CDRI for the IAS exam and other government exams also.

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI):- Download PDF Here

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Latest News

1. Canada has joined the Coalition on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, to promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks, thereby supporting sustainable development.
2. The Prime Minister addressed the opening ceremony of International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) through video conference.
3. The CDRI is hosting a three-day conference between the prime ministers of India, the United Kingdom, Italy and Fiji. The conference will see discussions on several aspects of disaster preparedness including health and digital infrastructure resilience.

What is the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure?

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure is a partnership between national governments, United Nations programmes and agencies, development banks, academic institutions and the private sector.

• The objective of the coalition is to address challenges related to building resilience into infrastructure systems and associated developments.
• It promotes the resilience of new and existing infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks in support of sustainable development. 
• Developed through consultations with more than 35 countries, CDRI targets a measurable reduction in infrastructure losses from disasters.
• CDRI supports the expeditious development of resilient infrastructure in response to the Sustainable Development Goals’ necessities of extending universal access to basic services, facilitating prosperity and decent work.
• It will work towards standardisation of designs, processes and regulations relating to infrastructure creation and management.
• The CDRI is a partnership between national governments and other agencies and not based on rights and obligations. It may be noted that the decisions, policies and standards of the coalition are not binding on the members.
• The CDRI was launched by Prime Minister Modi in September 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit.
  • The idea behind the CDRI was announced by Mr Modi in 2016 at the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR).
  • There, he declared India’s intention to work with partner countries and important stakeholders to create a coalition to work towards the ambition of improving the disaster resilience of infrastructure.
• Its Secretariat is in New Delhi.
• It is a platform for knowledge generation and exchange and will also develop country-specific as well as global plans.
• CDRI will give member countries technical support and capacity development, research and knowledge management, and advocacy and partnerships to enable and boost investment in disaster-resilient infrastructure systems.

India is also behind the formation of another key international organisation, the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Read more on the ISA in the link provided.

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 targets of the Sendai Framework 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.

Read more about disaster management in India in the link.

Objectives of CDRI

The objectives of the CDRI are as follows:

1. To promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks ensuring sustainable development.
2. To rapidly expand the development and retrofit of resilient infrastructure to respond to the Sustainable Development Goals imperatives of expanding universal access to basic services, enabling prosperity and decent work.

CDRI Funding

A major part of the funding required to cover costs for the first five years has been provided by India. The members are not obliged to make any financial contributions to the coalition. However, they can voluntarily contribute financially or in other ways such as assigning experts to the CDRI Secretariat, hosting meetings and workshops and travel support.

CDRI Members

The following table gives the list of member-countries of the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure:

The next table gives the list of partner organizations of the CDRI:

Significance of CDRI for India

• CDRI complements the International Solar Alliance (ISA)
• Provide a platform for India to emerge as a global leader on 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.