Session Annotation 

ICDRI 2022 will bring together governments, the private sector, academic institutions, and civil society organizations to deliberate on the need for resilience of transitioning infrastructure systems to support global climate goals, adaptation for the most vulnerable, and attainment of energy transition targets. The discussions will delve into the aspects of planning, delivery, financing of infrastructure resilience, and people centric approaches to strengthen the climate and disaster resilience of infrastructure. The Stage Setting session will set the tone for the three days of the conference. 

Session Overview 

We are in the midst of several global transitions. There is a demographic transition with increase in population as well as a change in the age composition. We are witnessing rapid urbanization that is changing the demand for energy, transport, housing, health, education and telecom and concomitant infrastructure needs. There are transitions in our social interactions and behaviour, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic decoupled people from their places of work and changed the dynamics of transportation and telecommunication demand. This is all happening against the backdrop of a changing climate. Dealing with climate change concerns as well as ensuring just and sustainable development has motivated greater alignment and commitments across the 2030 global agendas – SDGs, Paris Agreement and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR). These transitions are changing the way we are reimaging our future, the infrastructure that will get built. Also, at the heart of these complex transitions, are people.  

In light of these transitions, new questions arise regarding the notion of “resilient infrastructure”. What new energy or transport infrastructure will be built in the years to come? How will cascading risks be managed given deeper integration across infrastructure systems? How can people be made change agents in building resilient infrastructure? What role will human-centred design play in building forward and building back better? How can disaster risk-financing be embedded in all infrastructure investment decisions? How can new technology be leveraged for resilience? How will governments around the world navigate these complex set of challenges? 

The session will address some of these questions and emphasize the resilience of transitioning infrastructure systems as a goal that is instrumental to realizing 1.5°C, climate adaptation for the most vulnerable, and attaining energy transition targets that integrate resilience. It will set the tone for the three days of ICDRI 2022.