UNDRR and CDRI Join Forces to Future-Proof Global Infrastructure
In a world where climate extremes are becoming the new normal, the safety and durability of infrastructure can no longer be left to chance. Recognising the urgent need to address growing disaster risks, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) have formalised a new global partnership designed to scale up the resilience of public infrastructure worldwide.
The agreement, signed at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville, marks a pivotal moment. As governments gathered to hash out funding strategies for sustainable development, this collaboration drew significant attention. It promises to shift how nations build, manage, and adapt infrastructure—before disaster strikes.
Prioritising Resilient Infrastructure
The global push for resilient infrastructure isn’t just a technical challenge, it’s a moral one. Roads, bridges, water supply systems, hospitals, and power grids are lifelines. When they fail in the face of hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes, the consequences for human life, economic stability, and recovery prospects are devastating.
That’s where the UNDRR-CDRI partnership comes in. By pooling expertise and resources, the two bodies aim to embed risk-informed planning and investment practices into every phase of infrastructure development. This includes:
- Stress testing infrastructure against hazards
- Rolling out early warning and response systems
- Providing governments with hands-on policy guidance and capacity-building
- Facilitating knowledge-sharing across borders
Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, put it succinctly: “This collaboration will help countries turn risk knowledge into action, protecting communities and development gains. A focus on risk-informed infrastructure investment planning is essential for a more resilient future.”
From Theory to Practice
This isn’t just about high-level reports and strategy documents. The joint efforts have already delivered real-world impact. One key example is the development of the Global Methodology for Infrastructure Resilience Reviews. This framework helps nations evaluate how their public works hold up under extreme conditions.
Countries like Bhutan, Chile, Madagascar, and Tonga have used this methodology to pinpoint vulnerabilities and prioritise action. In Bhutan, for instance, the tool supported the identification of critical weaknesses in road networks prone to landslides, leading to targeted interventions.
Likewise, Madagascar and Chile used the framework to explore vulnerabilities in energy and transport systems, while Tonga focused on improving the resilience of coastal infrastructure.
A Growing Coalition of Support
CDRI, backed by more than 30 countries and multilateral institutions including the World Bank, is fast becoming a cornerstone in the global resilience movement. UNDRR, a key architect of disaster risk policy within the UN system, has championed the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction since its adoption in 2015.
Together, they offer a powerful combination of policy influence and technical capacity. Their new agreement builds upon years of collaboration, including UNDRR’s instrumental role in launching CDRI in 2019.
The partnership will expand its scope beyond individual projects to national and regional strategies. It plans to offer countries:
- Technical support on implementing resilience standards
- Integrated data platforms for infrastructure risk assessments
- Tailored training and workshops for policymakers and engineers
Making Resilience Routine
One of the most promising aspects of this collaboration is its commitment to simplicity and accessibility. Too often, resilience planning gets stuck in the ivory tower of theory. UNDRR and CDRI are determined to bring it back down to earth.
Their new initiative will offer streamlined tools and guidance aimed at frontline users—from local government officials to civil engineers. This means clear, actionable steps for infrastructure upgrades, rather than vague recommendations.
As Kamal Kishore emphasised during the announcement: “It’s not enough to recognise risk; we need to integrate that knowledge into everyday decisions.”
Building Back Better Before It Breaks
The idea of “building back better” has become a popular refrain after disasters. But Kishore and his counterparts at CDRI are pushing for something even more critical—building better before things break.
This shift from reaction to prevention is at the heart of the new partnership. Rather than waiting for catastrophes to reveal systemic weaknesses, countries are being encouraged to stress test their infrastructure proactively and develop pre-emptive resilience plans.
In doing so, they not only reduce the human and financial toll of disasters but also ensure more efficient use of development finance—a crucial consideration in an era of fiscal constraints.
Investing in a Safer Future
According to the World Bank, every $1 invested in disaster risk reduction can save up to $6 in future damages. And yet, disaster preparedness remains one of the most underfunded areas in global development.
By advocating for resilience-centred public investment, the UNDRR-CDRI alliance is helping shift this dynamic. Their presence at FFD4 sent a strong signal: investing in resilient infrastructure isn’t a luxury. It’s a cost-saving, life-saving necessity.
In the words of CDRI’s leadership: “Resilient infrastructure is not only a development objective, it’s an economic one.”
Strengthening Resilience, Strengthening Communities
While infrastructure might seem like concrete and steel, at its core it’s about people. A flood-proof bridge means school children get to class after a storm. A resilient power grid keeps hospitals running during a heatwave. And well-drained roads save lives in the chaos of a cyclone.
By helping countries prepare smarter, not just rebuild faster, this partnership between UNDRR and CDRI is rewriting the global playbook on disaster resilience.
A Brighter Path Forward
Looking ahead, the real success of this collaboration will be measured by lives protected, economies stabilised, and communities made stronger. That’s the long game. And with this alliance, the rules have changed for the better.
As the global climate continues to shift and urbanisation surges, building resilient infrastructure is no longer optional. It’s the bedrock of sustainable development. Thanks to the efforts of UNDRR and CDRI, that foundation just got a lot stronger.
