Global leaders convene in France to boost coastal disaster resilience
The seventh International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) opened in France's Nice on Saturday, gathering over 350 delegates from governments, UN agencies and development banks to focus on building disaster-resilient infrastructure for coastal regions and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).With 37 per cent of the world's population living within 100 km of the coast and 90 per cent of global goods transported by sea, the stakes are high. Coastal economies contribute USD 1.5 trillion annually to global GDP, a figure expected to double by 2030.advertisementThis year's ICDRI, themed 'shaping a resilient future for coastal regions', is the first to be held in Europe and is co-hosted by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the French government. The conference zeroes in on three pillars: improving access to finance, leveraging data and technology for early warning systems, and strengthening codes and standards for infrastructure resilience.
In his virtual address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the urgency of global action, noting the heightened risks faced by coastal and island communities due to disasters and climate change. "Let us build infrastructure that stands firm against time and tide, creating a stronger, more resilient future for all," he urged.PM Modi also outlined five global priorities, including workforce skills, innovative financing and a digital repository for best practices.advertisementLeaders from SIDS echoed the call for urgent support. Guyana's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali described climate-resilient infrastructure as "a question of survival", while Nauru's President David Adeang called for moving "from dialogue to delivery" to ensure no nation is left behind.Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Haiti's Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime both emphasised that resilience is a necessity, not a luxury and a moral imperative for global solidarity.CDRI Director General Amit Prothi highlighted the IRIS programme, which is supporting 24 projects across 25 SIDS, and announced new research grants for 53 projects in 21 countries. The conference also reaffirmed the coalition's commitment to advancing climate and disaster resilience across Africa and issued a call to action for accelerating investment in small island nations.As climate risks intensify, ICDRI 2025 aims to transform global dialogue into concrete action, ensuring that vulnerable coastal communities are equipped for a safer and more sustainable future.
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