New Delhi, June 7 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for global efforts to build a strong and disaster-resilient future for the world, stressing the need for construction of infrastructure that remains steadfast against time and tide.
Addressing the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025 via video conferencing, the Prime Minister outlined five key global priorities to strengthen disaster resilience.
These are: The importance of integrating disaster resilience courses, modules and skill development programmes in higher education; a global digital repository to document best practices and learnings from countries that have faced disasters and rebuilt with resilience; innovative financing for creation of actionable programmes; necessity of strengthening early warning systems and coordination and special attention to vulnerabilities of small island developing states.
Pointing out that India had established a tsunami warning system benefiting 29 countries, the Prime Minister said India recognizes the small island developing states as large ocean countries and the need for special attention to their vulnerabilities.
'Strengthening Early warning systems and coordination is crucial,' he said, adding that a global digital repository of learnings and best practices of building back from disasters would be beneficial for the entire world.
Highlighting the theme of the conference, ‘Shaping a Resilient Future for Coastal Regions,’ Modi underscored the vulnerability of coastal regions and islands to natural disasters and climate change.
He cited recent disasters including Cyclone Remal in India and Bangladesh, Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean, Typhoon Yagi in South-east Asia, Hurricane Helene in the United States, Typhoon Usagi in the Philippines, and Cyclone Chido in parts of Africa and emphasized that these disasters had caused significant damage to lives and property, reinforcing the need for resilient infrastructure and proactive disaster management.
Recalling India's past experiences with devastating disasters, including the super-cyclone of 1999
and the tsunami of 2004, the Prime Minister emphasized how India adapted and rebuilt with resilience, constructing cyclone shelters across vulnerable areas and contributing to the establishment of a tsunami warning system benefiting 29 countries.
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