India Calls for Global DRR Financing Facility at Geneva Ministerial Roundtable
India highlights its robust national disaster risk financing system and urges time-bound global action
Geneva : India has called for the creation of a dedicated global facility to support disaster risk reduction (DRR) financing, urging the international community to move toward concrete, time-bound outcomes. The call was made by Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, during the Ministerial Roundtable on DRR Financing held in Geneva on June 4, 2025.
Dr. Mishra emphasized that disaster risk financing is not a peripheral issue but central to resilience-building, development safeguarding, and climate risk management. He commended the UNDRR and partner nations—including Brazil and South Africa—for advancing the global DRR agenda under their G20 presidencies.
India’s National DRR Financing: A Global Example
Dr. Mishra highlighted India’s transformative journey in DRR financing. From modest allocations of ₹60 million (~USD 0.7 million) by early Finance Commissions, the cumulative outlay under the 15th Finance Commission now exceeds ₹2.32 trillion (~USD 28 billion), making it one of the world’s largest nationally anchored DRR systems.
He outlined India’s four-pronged financing approach:
1. Dedicated funding windows for preparedness, mitigation, relief, and recovery.
2. Prioritization of vulnerable communities and the most affected populations.
3. Financial accessibility across central, state, and local levels.
4. Accountability and transparency, with measurable outcomes.
This structured model is backed by the Disaster Management Act of 2005, ensuring predictability and rule-based financial flows down to district levels.
Call for a Global Mechanism
Recognizing the importance of national ownership, Dr. Mishra stressed that effective DRR financing must also be supported by international cooperation. He pointed to a critical global gap—the lack of a dedicated international financial mechanism to assist countries in building or strengthening DRR systems.
India urged the global community to establish a UN-backed international facility to provide:
Catalytic funding
Technical assistance
A global platform for knowledge sharing
Dr. Mishra also emphasized the need for innovative financial instruments such as risk pooling, insurance, and context-driven tools that are sustainable and affordable.
India’s Message: Time to Act
Dr. Mishra concluded with a strong message: “We must move beyond intent. The time has come for action-oriented, time-bound commitments to strengthen DRR financing globally.” India reiterated its commitment to play a leadership role in creating a financing architecture that is nationally driven and globally supported.
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