Engineering a Solution for Disasters: The Promise of Resilient Infrastructure

At the World Bank, investment in resilient infrastructure has averaged $2 billion annually over the last fi ve years, creating a portfolio of more than 70 projects in over 35 countries. In addition, the Bank is working closely with the Government of Japan
on scaling up investments in high-quality, disaster-resilient infrastructure through engagements financed under the “Japan-World Bank Program for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management in Developing Countries.”

In this context, the session will: (1) Discuss the importance of mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into various sectors in developing countries and elaborate on opportunities, challenges and the lessons learnt to date; (2) Take an in-depth look at
the role of resilient infrastructure in mitigating climate and disaster risks, especially across sectors like transportation, urban fl ood risk management, building regulation, and others; and, (3) Showcase how the World Bank is working closely with the Government of Japan through the “Japan-World Bank Program on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management in Developing Countries” to scale up investments in high-quality disaster resilient infrastructure, with specifi c examples from the East Asia and Pacifi c Region.

Speakers/Panelists

Francis Ghesquiere
Manager, Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), World Bank

Jolanta Kryspin-Watson
Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist, World Bank

Kiyoshi Murakami
Vice Mayor and Senior Executive Advisor at Rikuzentakata City