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Context

• Recently, PM Modi addressed the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/international-conference-on-disaster-resilient-infrastructure 

International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

• The International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) is CDRI's flagship event bringing together policymakers, researchers and practitioners from across the world to strengthen the global discourse on disaster and climate resilient infrastructure.
• The International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) is an annual international conference and platform to continue building an engaged global community for disaster and climate resilient infrastructure.
• Its objective is to promote research and knowledge sharing in the fields of infrastructure risk management, standards, financing, and recovery mechanisms.
• Launched by India, at the 2019 UN Climate Summit, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) includes -Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bhutan, Chile, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, Peru, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

• Six organizations—The World Bank Group, The Asian Development Bank, The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), The Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE) and Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment (CCRI) are supporting partners.

Theme for 2023 Conference

• The CDRI's theme for this year's conference is related to Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure.

Highlights of PM Modi’s address

Integrated Response

• The CDRI arose from a global vision. In a closely connected world, the impact of disasters will not just be local. Disasters in one region can have a big impact on a completely different region. Therefore, our response has to be integrated, not isolated.

Multistakeholder platform

• In just a few years, over 40 countries have become part of the CDRI. This conference is becoming an important platform.
• Advanced economies and developing economies, large and small countries, The Global North and the Global South, are coming together at this forum.
• It is also encouraging that it is not just governments that are involved. Global institutions, domain experts and the private sector also play a role.

Inclusive Infrastructure

• The CDRI's theme for this year's conference is related to Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure.
• Infrastructure is not only about returns but also about reach and resilience.
• Infrastructure must leave none behind and serve the people even during times of crisis. Further, a holistic view of infrastructure is needed. Social and digital infrastructure are as important as transport infrastructure.

Importance of Resilience

• Resilience is about how quickly systems can ensure the return of normal life. Resilience is built in the times between one disaster and another. Studying past disasters and learning lessons from them is the way.
• This is where the CDRI and this conference play a key role.

Region-specific disaster management strategy

• Each nation and region faces disasters of different kinds. Societies evolve local knowledge related to infrastructure that can with-stand disasters.
• While modernizing infrastructure, such knowledge needs to be used intelligently.
• Modern technology with local insights can be great for resilience. Further, if documented well, local knowledge may become a global best practice.

Inclusive intent of CDRI initiatives

• Some of the initiatives of the CDRI are already showing its inclusive intent.
• The Infrastructure for Resilient Island States initiative or IRIS benefits many island nations.
• These islands may be small, but every human living in them matters to us. Just last year, the Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund was announced.
• This 50-million-dollar fund has generated immense interest among developing nations. The commitment of financial resources is key to the success of initiatives.

READ ABOUT IRIS: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/infrastructure-for-resilient-island-states-iris

Recent Disasters- A reminder

• Recent disasters have reminded us of the scale of challenges we face. Let me give you a few examples.
• We had heat waves across India and Europe.
• Many island nations were harmed by earth-quakes, cyclones and volcanoes. Earth-quakes in Türkiye and Syria caused great loss of lives and property. Thus, there are great expectations from the CDRI.

G-20 presidency- An opportunity for CDRI

• This year, India is also bringing the world together through its G20 presidency. As the president of G20, India has already included the CDRI in many working groups. The solutions explored here will receive attention at the highest levels of global policy-making.
• This is an opportunity for CDRI to contribute to infrastructure resilience, especially against climate risks and disasters.
• The deliberations at ICDRI 2023 will provide a pathway to achieve the shared vision of a more resilient world.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Investment in disaster resilient infrastructure is the pivot for risk reduction in loss of life and property as global warming continues to cause increase in the incidence as well as severity of extreme weather events. What key role can be played by the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure in this context? Elaborate.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1913485