The Union Cabinet has recently given the green light for the ratification of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) between the Government of India and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). This momentous decision is expected to bring in major improvements in how the country manages disaster risks and promotes sustainable development.
Understanding CDRI: Its Genesis and Purpose
The CDRI is a global partnership that brings together a variety of entities, including national governments, United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and academic and knowledge institutions. The prime focus of this coalition is to promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks.
The primary aim of CDRI is to ensure sustainable development by aiding differing countries in developing effective policies, standards, guidelines, and best practices for creating resilient infrastructure. Since its inception, the CDRI has been joined by 31 countries, six international organizations, and two private sector organizations as members.
Major International Organisations Associated with CDRI
Several eminent international organizations have come together under the umbrella of CDRI to work towards a common goal. These include the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank Group, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), European Union, and the European Investment Bank.
Benefits Accruing from Ratification of the HQA
The ratification of the HQA will grant various exemptions, immunities, and privileges to CDRI as per Section-3 of the UN (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947. This will empower CDRI to function more effectively as an international organization and allow it to partner with other international entities to achieve its objectives. Furthermore, the move will enhance India’s credibility and visibility as a founding member and host country of CDRI.
CDRI’s Significance for India
CDRI offers a strategic platform for India to establish itself as a global leader in climate Action and Disaster Resilience. Not just amplifying India’s soft power, but also it holds broader implications beyond mere economics, creating synergies between disaster risk reduction, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and climate accords.
Initiatives Undertaken by CDRI
CDRI has initiated several key projects to bolster its objectives. The ‘Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS)’ is one such initiative launched by India under the CDRI to build capacity and implement pilot projects, mainly in Small Island Developing States or SIDS.
Another significant initiative is the ‘Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund’, supported by both the UNDP and UNDRR. Managed by the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (UN MPTFO), this fund aims to enhance the ability of infrastructure systems to withstand disasters, focusing particularly on developing countries and SIDS.
