New Delhi: At the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2025 held in Geneva, India took center stage by showcasing its unparalleled Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) financing system, recognized as the world’s largest nationally anchored framework for disaster resilience. Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary, Mr. P.K. Mishra, India’s delegation emphasized the critical need for a global financial mechanism to support disaster risk reduction efforts worldwide. The event, themed “Every Day Counts, Act for Resilience Today,” provided a platform for India to advocate for structured, predictable, and scalable DRR financing while highlighting its transformative journey in disaster management.
India’s Call for a Global DRR Financing Facility
During the ministerial roundtable on DRR financing, Mr. P.K. Mishra underscored the absence of a dedicated international financial mechanism to support the establishment of DRR financing systems globally. He proposed the creation of a global facility, backed by the United Nations system and multilateral financial institutions, to provide catalytic funding, technical assistance, and a platform for knowledge exchange. This bold proposal reflects India’s vision of fostering international collaboration to address escalating climate and disaster risks, ensuring that nations worldwide can build resilient communities.
India’s call for a global facility stems from its philosophy that a strong and responsive DRR financing architecture is the cornerstone of resilience. By advocating for structured financial support, India aims to enable countries to move beyond reactive disaster response to proactive preparedness, mitigation, and recovery. The proposed facility would serve as a catalyst for global cooperation, offering resources and expertise to nations striving to enhance their disaster resilience.
India’s DRR Financing System: A Global Benchmark
India’s DRR financing system, now exceeding INR 2,40,324 crore (approximately USD 28 billion) cumulatively, stands as a testament to its commitment to disaster resilience. Mr. P.K. Mishra highlighted the remarkable evolution of India’s financing framework, which has grown from modest allocations of INR 8.6 crore (USD 1 million) in earlier Finance Commissions to a projected INR 3,60,486 crore (USD 42 billion) under the 16th Finance Commission. This exponential growth is underpinned by a rule-based financing architecture established by the Disaster Management Act of 2005, which has transformed disaster financing into a structured and predictable system.
The Indian model ensures seamless fund allocation from the national level to state and district levels, enabling rapid and effective responses to disasters. Unlike reactive approaches that dominate traditional disaster management, India’s system prioritizes preparedness, mitigation, relief, and recovery through dedicated financial windows. This structured approach has positioned India as a global leader in disaster risk reduction, setting a benchmark for other nations to emulate.
Four Pillars of India’s DRR Financing Approach
India’s DRR financing system is built on four key principles that ensure its effectiveness and scalability:
- Dedicated Financial Windows: India allocates specific funds for preparedness, mitigation, relief, and recovery, ensuring that resources are available for all phases of disaster management. This proactive approach minimizes the impact of disasters and supports long-term resilience.
- Prioritization of Affected Communities: The needs of affected people and vulnerable communities are at the heart of India’s DRR strategy. By focusing on those most at risk, India ensures equitable access to resources and support.
- Accessibility Across Government Levels: Financial resources are made available to central, state, and local governments, ensuring that disaster response is swift and coordinated at all levels. This decentralized approach enhances efficiency and responsiveness.
- Accountability and Transparency: India’s DRR financing system is guided by principles of accountability, transparency, and measurable outcomes. Every expenditure is tracked and evaluated to ensure optimal use of resources and tangible results.
These principles have enabled India to create a robust and responsive DRR financing framework that addresses both immediate needs and long-term resilience goals.
Historical Context: From Modest Beginnings to Global Leadership
India’s journey in DRR financing began with modest allocations of INR 60 million (approximately USD 0.7 million) under early Finance Commissions. Over the years, this amount has grown exponentially, reaching INR 2.32 trillion (USD 28 billion) under the 15th Finance Commission. The projected allocation under the 16th Finance Commission—INR 3,60,486 crore (USD 42 billion)—further underscores India’s commitment to scaling up its disaster resilience efforts.
The Disaster Management Act of 2005 was a turning point in this journey, establishing a pre-determined, rule-based system for fund allocation. This legislation transformed disaster financing from an ad-hoc, reactive process to a structured and predictable framework. By institutionalizing DRR financing, India has ensured that resources are readily available to address disasters at all levels of government, from national to local.
India’s Leadership at GPDRR 2025
The 8th GPDRR, established in 2006, is a global forum recognized by the UN General Assembly as a critical mechanism for reviewing progress on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The 2025 edition, themed “Every Day Counts, Act for Resilience Today,” brought together global leaders, policymakers, and experts to share knowledge, exchange best practices, and discuss emerging trends in disaster risk reduction.
India’s participation at GPDRR 2025 was marked by its proactive leadership and commitment to global collaboration. Mr. P.K. Mishra praised the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and its partners for convening the ministerial roundtable on DRR financing. He emphasized the importance of concrete, time-bound outcomes to address the growing challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters.
On the sidelines of the summit, Mr. Mishra held bilateral discussions with key counterparts, including Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen, and the Philippines’ Secretary, Mr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. These discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in disaster risk reduction, sharing best practices, and building resilient communities. By fostering international partnerships, India is paving the way for a more coordinated global response to disaster risks.
African Union Joins CDRI as 54th Member
A significant highlight of GPDRR 2025 was the announcement that the African Union has joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as its 54th member. Launched by India at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019, CDRI is a global partnership of nations, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, and the private sector. Headquartered in New Delhi, CDRI aims to promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks, ensuring sustainable development.
The inclusion of the African Union in CDRI marks a significant step toward global cooperation in disaster resilience. By joining the coalition, the African Union will contribute to and benefit from shared expertise, resources, and innovative solutions to build infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change and disasters.
India’s Vision for Resilient and Sustainable Disaster Management
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a global leader in disaster risk reduction. The country’s DRR financing system, the largest of its kind worldwide, exemplifies its commitment to resilience amid escalating climate and disaster risks. By prioritizing preparedness, mitigation, and recovery, India is not only safeguarding its own communities but also setting an example for the world.
India’s advocacy for a global DRR financing facility reflects its broader vision of fostering international collaboration to secure safer futures. By sharing its expertise and best practices, India is helping other nations build robust disaster management systems that can withstand the challenges of the 21st century.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Global Resilience
The 8th GPDRR 2025 in Geneva was a defining moment for India to showcase its leadership in disaster risk reduction. By presenting the world’s largest DRR financing system and advocating for a global financial mechanism, India has reinforced its position as a pioneer in disaster resilience. The principles of dedicated funding, community prioritization, accessibility, and transparency that underpin India’s approach offer valuable lessons for the global community.
As the world grapples with the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, India’s call for a global DRR financing facility is both timely and essential. By fostering international collaboration, sharing knowledge, and providing catalytic funding, the proposed facility could transform the global approach to disaster risk reduction. With initiatives like CDRI and its robust domestic financing system, India is leading the charge toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is India’s Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Financing System, and why is it significant?
India’s DRR financing system is the world’s largest nationally anchored framework for disaster resilience, currently exceeding INR 2,40,324 crore (USD 28 billion) in cumulative funding. Established under the Disaster Management Act of 2005, it ensures structured, predictable, and rule-based fund allocation from national to state and district levels. Its significance lies in its focus on preparedness, mitigation, relief, and recovery, prioritizing vulnerable communities, accessibility across government levels, and transparency. This system has transformed India’s disaster management from reactive to proactive, setting a global benchmark.
2. What was India’s key proposal at the 8th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2025?
At GPDRR 2025 in Geneva, India, represented by Mr. P.K. Mishra, proposed the creation of a global DRR financing facility supported by the UN and multilateral financial institutions. This facility would provide catalytic funding, technical assistance, and a platform for knowledge exchange to help nations establish robust DRR financing systems, addressing the absence of a dedicated international mechanism for disaster risk reduction.
3. What is the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR), and what was the theme of the 2025 event?
The GPDRR, established in 2006, is a UN-recognized global forum for reviewing progress on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. It facilitates knowledge sharing, best practice exchange, and discussions on disaster risk trends. The 8th GPDRR, held in 2025 in Geneva, had the theme “Every Day Counts, Act for Resilience Today,” emphasizing urgent action to enhance global disaster resilience.
4. What is the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and what was its significance at GPDRR 2025?
Launched by India at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019, CDRI is a global partnership of nations, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, and the private sector, headquartered in New Delhi. It aims to promote resilient infrastructure systems to withstand climate and disaster risks. At GPDRR 2025, the African Union joined CDRI as its 54th member, marking a significant step toward global cooperation in building sustainable, disaster-resilient infrastructure.
5. How has India’s DRR financing evolved, and what are its future projections?
India’s DRR financing began with INR 60 million (USD 0.7 million) under early Finance Commissions and has grown to INR 2.32 trillion (USD 28 billion) under the 15th Finance Commission. The 16th Finance Commission projects allocations of INR 3,60,486 crore (USD 42 billion). Anchored by the Disaster Management Act of 2005, this evolution reflects India’s shift to a structured, scalable system that ensures rapid and effective disaster response across all government levels.
