Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024

A high-level Indian delegation, led by Shri Nityanand Rai, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, attended the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024 in Manila, Philippines. The conference was officially opened by President Bongbong Marcos and focused on the theme, “Surge to 2030: Enhancing ambition in Asia Pacific to accelerate disaster risk reduction.”

Key Agenda of the Conference

The conference gathered policymakers from countries in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss ways to reduce disaster risks, especially as climate change leads to more frequent and severe natural disasters.

India’s Commitment to Disaster Risk Reduction

During the conference, Shri Nityanand Rai spoke about the growing number of disasters that cause loss of life and economic damage. He emphasized India’s strong commitment to taking inclusive and proactive steps to reduce these risks. He also mentioned Prime Minister Modi’s 10-point agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), which outlines India’s approach to tackling these challenges.

Focus Areas in Disaster Risk Reduction

The Minister highlighted several important areas for disaster risk reduction:

Early Warning Systems (EWS): India aims to implement advanced technologies to provide early warnings of disasters. This includes systems like the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and Cell Broadcast Systems to alert people quickly.

Disaster Resilient Infrastructure: India is focusing on creating infrastructure that can withstand disasters, promoting sustainable development that prepares communities for potential risks.

Financial Provisions: The country is setting up specific financial systems to effectively manage resources for disaster risk reduction efforts.

Technological Advancements in Early Warning Systems

India has made significant progress with initiatives like the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC). This center provides tsunami warnings to 25 countries, helping them prepare for potential tsunamis and ensuring that people are informed quickly.

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

India initiated the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which now includes 47 member countries. This coalition provides technical assistance and helps countries build capacity for investments that can withstand disasters.

Financial Investments in Disaster Risk Reduction

India is investing heavily in disaster risk reduction. The 15th Finance Commission has allocated USD 30 billion for the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) and the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF) for the financial years 2021-22 to 2025-26. This funding is aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to respond to and recover from disasters.

The APMCDRR 2024 conference was a crucial platform for discussing and planning strategies to reduce disaster risks in the Asia-Pacific region, with India showing strong leadership and commitment to enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2024

Category: Summits and Conferences