ICDRI 2025: PM Modi outlines key global priorities to strengthen disaster resilience, early warning systems, coordination

The Hindu

08-06-2025

The seventh year of the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI), organised by the New Delhi-headquartered Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), was held on June 6 and 7 in Nice, France. This is the first time the conference was held in Europe with the CDRI as the co-chair.
ICDRI 2025 is aligned with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in Geneva, and third U.N. Oceans Conference (UNOC3), in Nice.
This year's focus is on coastal communities, which contribute roughly $1.5 trillion to global GDP annually — a figure projected to rise to nearly $3 trillion by 2030. In addition, nearly 90% of goods moved globally are transported by sea.
Addressing virtually, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 7 outlined key global priorities to strengthen disaster resilience, the need for early warning systems and coordination.
Major disasters
Highlighting the theme of the conference, 'Shaping a Resilient Future for Coastal Regions,' the Prime Minister underscored the vulnerability of coastal regions and islands to natural disasters and climate change. Citing recent disasters, including Cyclone Remal in India and Bangladesh, Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean, Typhoon Yagi in Southeast Asia, Hurricane Helene in the United States, Typhoon Usagi in the Philippines, and Cyclone Chido in parts of Africa, he emphasised that these disasters had caused significant damage to human lives and property, reinforcing the need for resilient infrastructure and proactive disaster management.
'With its past experiences with devastating disasters, including the super-cyclone of 1999 and the tsunami of 2004, India has adapted and rebuilt with resilience, constructing cyclone shelters across vulnerable areas and contributing to the establishment of a tsunami warning system benefiting 29 countries,' Mr. Modi said.
The CDRI is working with 25 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to build resilient homes, hospitals, schools, energy systems, water security measures, and early warning systems.
Mr. Modi talked about the importance of integrating disaster resilience courses, modules, and skill development programmes into higher education to build a skilled workforce equipped to tackle future challenges.
'There is a need for a global digital repository to document best practices and learnings from countries that have faced disasters and rebuilt with resilience. Disaster resilience requires innovative financing; we need to create actionable programmes to ensure developing nations have access to necessary funds as the third priority,' he added.
On India's recognition of SIDS as Large Ocean Countries, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for special attention to their vulnerabilities. 'The construction of infrastructure that remain steadfast against time and tide is key; there is a need for resilience in development and with global efforts a strong and disaster-resilient future for the world can be built.'
Welcoming African Union as a new member of CDRI, P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and co-chair of the CDRI, announced the African Union Commission as the newest member of the coalition. 'Fifty-four members from different countries have joined the CDRI and are bound by a common belief that resilience must be embedded in the very foundations of development.'
Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, said, 'Resilient infrastructure is not just a policy option — it is a necessity for survival. We believe that resilience begins not at the shoreline but in the minds and systems we build.'
Rachel Kyte, U.K. Special Representative for Climate, said, 'As climate-fueled disasters escalate, insurers are pulling out, raising rates, and narrowing coverage. It is a pressing global issue, especially urgent for developing economies.'
Announcements at the conference included the awarding of research grants for 53 projects spanning 21 countries, as well as a call to action for accelerating infrastructure resilience in small island nations. The emphasis was on the urgent need for global collaboration and investment.
About 37% of the world's population lives within 100 km of the coast, where the population density is twice the global average. While all coastal areas face growing challenges, SIDS are especially vulnerable because of their remoteness and isolation.
CDRI Director General Amit Prothi said, 'Coastal resilience is essential for safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and economies. Being delivered in Europe for the first time, in partnership with the Government of France, the 7th edition of CDRI's annual conference will again foster inclusive dialogue and forge action-oriented partnerships to advance the cause of disaster-resilient infrastructure. Through our IRIS programme, we are supporting 24 projects across 25 SIDS, driving sustainable and inclusive infrastructure development.'
CDRI was launched by Mr. Modi at the U.N. Climate Action Summit in September 2019 and is a major global initiative playing a leadership role in climate change and disaster resilience matters.
CDRI released the working paper on 'Infrastructure Resilience in Small Island Developing States'. The paper provides an assessment of infrastructure risks in SIDS, offering policymakers guidance on multi-hazard threats, expected losses, and a resilience framework integrating financial, institutional, governance, nature-based, and technological solutions for sustainable adaptation.