Malaysia urged to join disaster-resilient infrastructure coalition

During a media briefing organized by India’s External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi and Mumbai, CDRI director-general Amit Prothi appealed for Malaysia to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, citing the country’s extensive experience with landslides, tsunamis and major earthquakes. He said the coalition aims to strengthen disaster-resilient infrastructure across member states and is eager to deepen ties with ASEAN nations and regional bodies like the AHA Centre in Indonesia.

Vietnam already belongs to CDRI and the Philippines is set to join, prompting Prothi to encourage more ASEAN participation. The invitation coincides with India’s diplomatic outreach ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, where Malaysia will attend as a partner country. Established by the Indian government and launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, CDRI focuses on hardening roads, bridges, hospitals and utilities against floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides, while also helping vulnerable states secure financing and share technical standards. Prothi highlighted Malaysia’s own flood challenges in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka and argued that its expertise could benefit both the region and its own disaster preparedness.