India Assumes Leadership Role in Disaster Risk Reduction

Bhubaneswar: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is taking on a prominent global and regional leadership role in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Notably, India has spearheaded the establishment of the international Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as part of its global initiatives.

On July 25, 2024, Rajendra Singh, Member and Head of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), assumed the Chair of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) from the People’s Republic of China for the year 2024-25. The handover ceremony took place in Bangkok, Thailand. ADPC is an autonomous international organization dedicated to cooperation in and implementation of disaster risk reduction and building climate resilience in the Asia-Pacific region. India, along with eight neighboring countries—Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—are the founding members of ADPC.

Additionally, India chaired the 5th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting of ADPC, which was held on the same day in Bangkok.

In his address, Rajendra Singh emphasized India’s commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and resilience. He highlighted the importance of regional collaboration and knowledge sharing in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters. Under India’s chairmanship, the focus will be on enhancing capacity-building initiatives, promoting best practices, and fostering innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters in the region.

The CDRI, another significant initiative led by India, aims to promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks. It brings together countries, organizations, and stakeholders to develop and implement resilient infrastructure solutions. This coalition underscores India’s proactive stance in advocating for disaster risk reduction and sustainable development on a global scale.