Mr. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India, said that disaster risk reduction is one of the most important challenges. “A disaster resilient world demands disaster resilient infrastructure. The Sendai Framework aims at mainstreaming disaster resilient infrastructure in all sectors and Japan as chair of the G20 is ready to formulate proposals for quality infrastructure.”

Dr. PK Mishra, Prime Minister of India’s Office, said there was a need to ask how we can develop infrastructure in a way that contributes to the resilience of the poor. “Government or social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals is ultimately about people. We should follow an inclusive approach and connect with other global processes including climate action, the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda," he said.

Dr. Mishra declared: “the Government of India is deeply committed, we are in it for the long haul. There is a need to connect and at the same time we would like to see tangible results, concrete initiatives in a few months from now.”

Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice-Chairman of the National Institution for Transformation of India, said: “We attach huge importance to disaster risk reduction. We have to focus on how to involve the vulnerable and one of the ways is to get them involved in the process of developing disaster risk resilient infrastructure. It is key to involve civil society.”

Mr.  NK Singh, chairman, 15th Finance Commission, India, said more work needs to be done to make public-private partnership investment in disaster resilient infrastructure more attractive in India.

The opening session was followed by a key note address from Prof. Jim Hall, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, who pointed out that resilient infrastructure is fundamental to the achievement of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals including 121 of the associated targets.

The meeting is being attended by over 200 experts and government representatives from 33 countries including the majority of the G20 countries.

Date:

19 Mar 2019

Sources:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (UNISDR AP)

Countries:

India

Regions:

Africa, Americas, Europe, Asia, Oceania