Roundtable on Governing for Infrastructure Resilience

This session will explore how governments can prepare for a future where past benchmarks no longer predict infrastructure risk. Speakers will discuss how to integrate resilience costs and benefits into capital planning, procurement and tendering processes from the outset.

They will also examine how to maintain a focus on resilience across the entire infrastructure lifecycle — from financing and construction to long-term operations — and why a systems approach is essential to manage interdependencies across networks, jurisdictions and supply chains.

Water systems are foundational to public health, economic stability and environmental sustainability — yet they are increasingly vulnerable to climate risks.

This session will examine how governments can strengthen resilience in water infrastructure and flood protection systems. Speakers will highlight the risks posed by ageing assets, extreme weather and underinvestment, and explore how resilient design can safeguard drinking water supply, protect communities and reduce costly emergency interventions.

Scaling up investment in resilient infrastructure requires clear incentives and shared responsibility.

This session will explore how governments and the private sector can allocate risks and costs more effectively, strengthen methodologies for assessing disaster risk, and demonstrate the long-term value of resilience investments. Practical country examples will illustrate how to mobilise financing for both new projects and the adaptation of existing assets.

Digital tools and artificial intelligence are reshaping how infrastructure is managed and maintained.

This roundtable will examine how AI and IT-enabled solutions can improve asset monitoring, enhance predictive maintenance, and strengthen responses to external shocks. The discussion will also address governance considerations and risk management associated with deploying digital technologies in critical infrastructure systems.

Infrastructure will play a vital role in enabling countries to achieve multiple resilience benefits to civilian economic activities and defense planning goals.

This session will share practical measures countries are taking to achieve dual benefits and the success factors needed to produce them, including log-term strategic planning and platforms for civilian and defense cooperation.