Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

Last Updated03/07/2022

The Union Cabinet has approved the categorization of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as an ‘International Organization’.

The cabinet also signed the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) with CDRI for granting it the exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated under the United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947.
This will provide CDRI an independent and international legal persona so that it can efficiently and effectively carry out its functions internationally.

The CDRI is an international coalition of countries, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and academic institutions that aim to promote disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Its objective is to promote research and knowledge sharing in the fields of infrastructure risk management, standards, financing, and recovery mechanisms.
It was launched by the Indian PM Narendra Modi at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019.
CDRI’s initial focus is on developing disaster-resilience in ecological, social, and economic infrastructure.
It aims to achieve substantial changes in member countries’ policy frameworks and future infrastructure investments, along with a major decrease in the economic losses suffered due to disasters.

PM Modi’s experience in dealing with the aftermath of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake” as the chief minister led him to the idea.
The CDRI was later conceptualized in the first and second edition of the International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (IWDRI) in 2018-19.
It was organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in partnership with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the UN Development Programme, the World Bank, and the Global Commission on Adaptation.

The CDRI is the second major coalition launched by India outside of the UN, the first being the International Solar Alliance.
Both of them are seen as India’s attempts to obtain a global leadership role in climate change matters and were termed as part of India’s stronger branding.
India can use the CDRI to provide a safer alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as well.

Deputing experts to other countries
Deploying funds globally and receive contributions from member countries
Making available technical expertise to assist countries
Imparting assistance to countries in adopting appropriate risk governance arrangements and strategies for resilient infrastructure
Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
Leveraging international engagement to foster disaster-resilient infrastructure at home; and,
Providing Indian scientific and technical institutions as well as infrastructure developers an opportunity to interact with global experts.