Global leaders convene in France to boost coastal disaster resilience
The seventh International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) opened in France's Nice on Saturday, gathering over 350 delegates from governments, UN agencies and development banks to focus on building disaster-resilient infrastructure for coastal regions and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).With 37 per cent of the world's population living within 100 km of the coast and 90 per cent of global goods transported by sea, the stakes are high. Coastal economies contribute USD 1.5 trillion annually to global GDP, a figure expected to double by 2030.advertisementThis year's ICDRI, themed 'shaping a resilient future for coastal regions', is the first to be held in Europe and is co-hosted by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the French government. The conference zeroes in on three pillars: improving access to finance, leveraging data and technology for early warning systems, and strengthening codes and standards for infrastructure resilience.
In his virtual address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the urgency of global action, noting the heightened risks faced by coastal and island communities due to disasters and climate change. "Let us build infrastructure that stands firm against time and tide, creating a stronger, more resilient future for all," he urged.PM Modi also outlined five global priorities, including workforce skills, innovative financing and a digital repository for best practices.advertisementLeaders from SIDS echoed the call for urgent support. Guyana's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali described climate-resilient infrastructure as "a question of survival", while Nauru's President David Adeang called for moving "from dialogue to delivery" to ensure no nation is left behind.Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Haiti's Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime both emphasised that resilience is a necessity, not a luxury and a moral imperative for global solidarity.CDRI Director General Amit Prothi highlighted the IRIS programme, which is supporting 24 projects across 25 SIDS, and announced new research grants for 53 projects in 21 countries. The conference also reaffirmed the coalition's commitment to advancing climate and disaster resilience across Africa and issued a call to action for accelerating investment in small island nations.As climate risks intensify, ICDRI 2025 aims to transform global dialogue into concrete action, ensuring that vulnerable coastal communities are equipped for a safer and more sustainable future.
IN THIS STORY#Narendra Modi
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
3 minutes ago
- The Print
Trump says key nuclear sites ‘obliterated', calls for ‘peace'
New Delhi: The US has announced it had bombed and 'completely and fully' obliterated three key Iranian nuclear facilities, joining Israel's war in the early hours of Sunday. US President Donald Trump first announced the military action on Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan facilities in a series of posts on his social media platform Truth Social before addressing the nation. He warned that more attacks could follow if Iran did not agree to peace. The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) confirmed that the three nuclear sites were hit, calling the action 'contrary to international law'. It urged the 'international community' to 'condemn the lawlessness based on the rules of the jungle and support Iran in achieving its legitimate rights'. LIVE UPDATES: US strikes on Iran 10.20 am: Sirens sounded over central, northern Israel, report says Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that sirens were heard in parts of central and northern Israel amid a barrage of incoming Iranian missiles. The Israeli Defence Force, it said, estimated that 25 ballistic missiles had been launched from Iran. 10.10 am: Israel closes airspace, commercial flights operating as is Israel has closed its airspace after US struck key nuclear facilities in Iran, the airport authority has announced. Meanwhile, Flightradar24 said commercial flights continued to avoid the airspace above parts of Middle East in light of the conflict and related restrictions. Following US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, commercial traffic in the region is operating as it has since new airspace restrictions were put into place last week. Image from 01:45 UTC 22 June. — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 22, 2025 10.00 am: Iranian FM says attacks will have 'everlasting consequences' In the first official reaction from the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi says, 'The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour.' The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations. The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2025 9.55 am: UN secretary-general: Strikes 'threat' to international peace, security United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said US airstrikes on the three Iranian nuclear sites were a 'dangerous escalation' and a 'direct' threat to international peace and security, while calling for member-states to 'de-escalate' and 'uphold their obligations' under the charter of the international organisation. 9.45 am: Netanyahu says strikes example of 'peace through strength' In a video address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a an example of 'peace through strength' and said Trump 'acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime – the world's most dangerous weapons'. Also Read: To be or not to be? Trump's next call on Iran-Israel conflict will reshape West Asia
India Today
7 minutes ago
- India Today
Criminal behavior: Iran warns of everlasting consequence after US bombs N-sites
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Sunday condemned the United States for launching airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, calling it a serious violation of international law, the UN Charter and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).In a strongly worded statement posted on X, Araghchi accused the US, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, of 'criminal behavior' by targeting what he described as peaceful nuclear events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior,' Iranian Foreign Minister said in a post. Calling on the global community to take notice, he said every UN member should be alarmed by the 'dangerous and lawless' actions taken by provisions under the UN Charter, Araghchi also added that Iran reserves all options in exercising its right to self-defense.'In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people,' the post statement follows a US military operation that targeted three major Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan last night. Trump described the US strikes on Iran as "an amazing success." He urged Iran to make peace and cease further actions, warning that any continued aggression would result in additional talking to the media, Trump confirmed that six bunker buster bombs were deployed on the Fordow facility. Hannity also reported that 30 Tomahawk missiles, launched from US submarines positioned 400 miles away, targeted the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites in Iran.
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Yoga provides the much-needed pause button in stress-filled society: PM Modi
On the 11th International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Modi advocated yoga as a crucial 'pause button' for humanity amidst global tensions, emphasizing its role in fostering peace and balance. He urged the world to embrace 'Yoga for Humanity 2.0,' integrating yoga into lifestyle and policy for a peaceful, balanced world. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads On the 11th International Yoga Day Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that this form of exercise is the much needed 'pause button' that humanity needs to deal with the increasing tensions, unrest and instability in the world. Yoga gives one the way to peace and helps create the balance to become whole joined thousands of people at Visakhapatnam on Saturday to celebrate International Yoga Day. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and others were present on the the people gathered at Visakhapatnam, Modi said, 'Unfortunately, today the entire world is going through some kind of tension. Unrest and instability are increasing in many areas. In such a situation, yoga gives us direction to peace. Yoga is the pause button that humanity needs to breathe, to balance, to become whole gain.'He urged the world community to mark this year's Yoga Day as the start of 'Yoga for Humanity 2.O' where attaining inner peace would become a Global Policy.'Under this policy, yoga would not just be a personal practice but become a medium of global partnership. Where every country, every society makes yoga a part of lifestyle and public policy. Where we together give impetus to a peaceful, balanced and sustainable world. Where yoga takes the world from conflict to cooperation, and from tension to solution,' Modi theme of 11th International Day of Yoga was ' Yoga for One Earth, One Health '.'This theme reflects a deep truth. The health of every entity on Earth is interconnected. Human well-being depends on the health of the soil that grows our food, on the rivers that give us water, on the health of the animals that share our eco-systems, on the plants that nourish us. Yoga awakens us to this inter-connected-ness. Yoga leads us on a journey towards oneness with the world. It teaches us that we are not isolated individuals but part of nature. Initially we learn to take good care of our own health and wellness. Gradually, our care and concern extend to our environment, society and planet. Yoga is a great personal discipline. At the same time, it is a system that takes us from Me to We,' the prime minister sentiment of 'Me to we' and treating the welfare of all as a duty is the essence of prime minister expressed happiness that in the last 11 years Yoga has become a lifestyle choice of millions of people around the world.'I feel proud when I see that our Divyang friends read Yoga Shastras in Braille, scientists do yoga in space, young friends in villages participate in Yoga Olympiad. A very wonderful yoga program is going on in all the Navy ships. Be it the steps of the Sydney Opera House, or the peak of Everest, or the expanse of the ocean, the message everywhere is the same – Yoga belongs to all and is for all. Yoga is for everyone, beyond boundaries, beyond backgrounds, beyond age or ability,' he prime minister maintained that India is promoting the science of yoga through modern research and medical institutions, including AIIMS, Delhi, are conducting research on it.'It is our endeavour to ensure that the scientific nature of yoga finds a place in the modern medical system… AIIMS research has revealed that yoga plays an important role in the treatment of cardiac and neurological disorders and in women's health and mental well-being,' he said.
