International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

Since the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015 countries and regions around the world are undertaking preparatory steps for its implementation. The Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) held in New Delhi, India in November 2016, brought together more than 50 countries and adopted the Asia Regional Plan which sets biennial milestones at the regional level for the implementation of the Sendai Framework. The Conference included a featured event on “Disaster Risk Resilient Infrastructure for Sustainable Development”, which highlighted the need for stronger collaboration and co-operation in the area of disaster resilient infrastructure. 

Developing Asia itself will need investments of USD 26 trillion from 2016 to 2030, or USD 1.7 trillion per year1 , if the region is to maintain its growth momentum, eradicate poverty, and respond to climate change. All of these new capital assets will be exposed to a plethora of natural hazards, with some of the hazard patterns continuously changing in view of climate change. Hence, the focus on creating disaster resilient infrastructure is important for achieving the targets enshrined in the Sendai Framework. It will help achieve not only the specific target on reducing infrastructure losses but also targets pertaining to reduction in mortality, number of affected people and economic losses.

Taking the dialogue on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure forward, NDMA, India in collaboration with the UNISDR will host an international workshop on the subject in New Delhi in January 2018. The workshop will bring together experts from partner countries, multilateral development banks, the United Nations, the private sector and academics.

The main objectives of the workshop are to:

• Take stock of impact of disasters on different infrastructure sectors and good practices in making infrastructure disaster resilient; 
• Identify  critical  gaps  in  current  practices  that  need  to  be  addressed  in  the  coming years; and  
• Identify good practices and potential areas of collaboration along four themes: 
  • development of risk assessment methodologies, risk metrics and indicators of sustainability for different infrastructure classes;
  • issues  of  standards,  design  and  regulation  for  infrastructure  development, operations and maintenance;
  • financing  for  disaster  resilient  infrastructure  including  risk  transfer mechanisms; and
  • reconstruction and recovery of key infrastructure sectors after disasters. 

The workshop is by invitation only.