Global Workshop in Doha on Principles for Resilient Infrastructure

Doha, March 28 (QNA) - The Global Consultation Workshop on the Principles for Resilient Infrastructure, organized by the Civil Defense Council in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), started Monday in Doha via video conferencing, in the presence of experts from the office, and with the participation of representatives of member states. The two-day workshop seeks to raise awareness and understanding of what resilient infrastructure constitutes for the implementation and planning of infrastructure projects and assisting the public and private sectors in making risk-informed policy and investment decisions. The workshop also aims to bring together many national governments and relevant experts to ensure consultation and gather opinions and integrate them where possible in the pursuit of what could become a global standard for infrastructure resilience. Director General of the General Directorate of Civil Defense and member of the Civil Defense Council Brigadier Hamad Othman Al Dhaimi, said in a speech during the opening that organizing this global consultation comes in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, and in line with the international leadership role of the State of Qatar in its commitments to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He also pointed out that the workshop stems from Qatar's belief in the important role played by the UNDRR, the importance of this global consultation and its role in better understanding national resilience and future infrastructure and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. He pointed out that the State of Qatar is a pioneer in allocating multiple contributions totaling USD 20 million to support the Accelerator Labs Network of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). It is also moving forward in achieving the ambitious aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, by paying special attention to the priorities and needs of developing countries and least developed countries in particular. He added that the State of Qatar is fully committed to playing its role in addressing unique challenges, stressing the importance of promoting investments in infrastructure by 2030. He pointed out that infrastructure systems and the resulting principles are becoming increasingly interconnected. It provides vital functions for societies and institutions, such as energy, water, communications, transportation, and healthcare. On the other hand, disasters of all kinds, as well as cyber-attacks and acts of terrorism can cascade in ways that threaten institutions and societies, at the regional, national and global levels. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for UNDRR Mami Mizutori, Deputy for Intergovernmental and Partnerships Branch Abhilash Panda and Chief of UNDRR Regional Office for the Arab States Sujit Mohanty, spoke during the workshop. (QNA)