India and the United States, serving as co-chairs of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)’s Governing Council and Executive Committee from 2022 to 2024, have worked together to promote the development of disaster-resilient infrastructure globally in collaboration with the expanding membership of CDRI. The United States officially handed over the co-chairship to France on April 23, 2024, while reaffirming its commitment to continue supporting the organization’s objectives.
Established by India in 2019, CDRI is a distinctive global climate initiative that unites governments, multilateral agencies, the private sector, and academic institutions to enhance the climate resilience of critical infrastructure such as roads, airports, and power grids. India serves as the permanent co-chair of the CDRI Governing Council and Executive Committee, with Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Mr. Kamal Kishore, Member of the National Disaster Management Authority and Head Of Department, representing the country. In the past two years, the United States, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has held the rotating co-chair positions for a two-year term.
Over the past two years, CDRI has experienced significant expansion under the leadership of its co-chairs. The organization has introduced a fresh strategic roadmap for the period of 2023 to 2026 and has grown its membership by over 25%. CDRI currently consists of 46 members, comprising 39 countries, 6 multilateral organizations, and a private-sector association with over 400 companies. These partnerships aim to enhance infrastructure resilience globally. Members collaborate on enhancing infrastructure systems to address climate and disaster risks, exchanging expertise, best practices, and effective tools.
India and the United States, as frontrunners in climate action, have been at the forefront of advocating for funding for infrastructure that enhances the resilience of communities worldwide in the wake of escalating disasters. Throughout this period, CDRI has unveiled the inaugural Global Infrastructure Risk Model and Resilience Index, a ground-breaking tool that empowers nations to forecast risks and gauge economic consequences, thereby facilitating better preparedness and resilience initiatives.
Furthermore, CDRI has not only facilitated financial investments for infrastructure but has also initiated programs to invest in a workforce that is prepared for the future. Collaboratively, these nations have taken the lead in implementing ground-breaking initiatives like the Infrastructure Resilience Academic Exchange and the Higher Education Partnership for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. These initiatives aim to empower students and professionals to develop innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by infrastructure.
At the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, the impact of CDRI can be clearly seen. CDRI Fellows are leading the way in flood management advancements. Through the Infrastructure Resilience Academic Exchange initiative, students are utilizing cutting-edge technology and involving the public to create tools that can accurately predict and effectively respond to floods. By combining community observations with satellite data, they are empowering local communities to mitigate the devastating effects of flooding. This ensures more efficient planning and a safer future for everyone. In addition, CDRI has recognized the importance of supporting the most vulnerable by awarding 11 projects across 13 Small Island Developing States. These projects aim to make infrastructure systems disaster and climate resilient, further demonstrating CDRI’s commitment to helping those in need.
The upcoming International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure will highlight the importance of increased funding and investments in infrastructure resilience. In light of the escalating climate crisis, CDRI urges governments, multilateral organizations, private sector firms, and investors to allocate resources towards initiatives that bolster infrastructure resilience and lessen the effects of disasters and climate change. Through backing CDRI’s objectives and financing resilient infrastructure, we can ensure the safety of individuals, bolster economies, and establish a more sustainable future for everyone.
