Cabinet approves Categorization of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as an ‘International Organization’ and signing of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) with CDRI for granting it the exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemp
Cabinet approves
Categorization of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as
an ‘International Organization’ and signing of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA)
with CDRI for granting it the exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated
under the United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947
The Union Cabinet chaired
by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the categorization of the
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as an ‘International
Organization’ and signing of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) with CDRI for
granting it the exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated under the
United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947.
Why is it in news?
Categorization of CDRI as
an ‘International Organisation’ and signing of HQA with CDRI for grant of
exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated under Section-3 of the
United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947 will provide it an
independent and international legal persona so that it can efficiently and
effectively carry out its functions internationally.
Highlights
This will help the CDRI in:
- Deputing experts to other countries, that are particularly
vulnerable to disaster risk and / or require support for post disaster
recovery and also bringing in experts from member countries to India, for
similar purposes;
- Deploying funds globally and receive contributions from
member countries, for CDRI activities;
- Making available technical expertise to assist countries to develop
resilient infrastructure in accordance with their disaster and climate
risks and resources;
- Imparting assistance to countries in adopting appropriate
risk governance arrangements and strategies for resilient infrastructure;
- Rendering all possible support to member countries in
upgrading their systems to ensure disaster and climate resilience of
existing and future infrastructure, while aligning with the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sendai
Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction;
- Leveraging international engagement to foster disaster
resilient infrastructure at home; and,
- Providing Indian scientific and technical institution as well
as infrastructure developers an opportunity to interact with global
experts. This will help build our own capacities and mechanisms — both in
public and private sectors — to support disaster resilient infrastructure
development.
·
Since
its launch, thirty-one (31) Countries, six (06) International Organizations and
two (02) private sector organizations have joined as members of CDRI.
CDRI has been expanding its membership consistently by attracting a wide
variety of economically advanced countries, developing countries, and countries
that are most vulnerable to climate change and disasters.
·
Over
a period of time, a network of organizations / stakeholders will be developed
to advance disaster resilient infrastructure not only in India but other
partner countries as well.
Background:
On 28th August, 2019, the
Cabinet had approved the setting up of CDRI with its Secretariat in New Delhi
along with a support of Rs. 480 crore to CDRI. The support from Government of
India serves as a corpus for CDRI to fund technical assistance and research
projects on an ongoing basis, setting up the Secretariat office and covering
recurring expenditures over a period of 5 years from 2019-20 to
2023-24.
The CDRI was launched by
the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India during the United Nations Climate Action Summit
on the 23rd September, 2019, at New York. It is the second major global
initiative launched by the Government of India and is a demonstration of
India's leadership role in climate change and disaster resilience matters,
globally.
CDRI is a global partnership
of National Governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development
banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, academic and knowledge
institutions that aims to promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to
climate and disaster risks, thereby ensuring sustainable development.