Headquarters Agreement

Context:  The Union Cabinet has given its approval for ratification of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) between Government of India (Gol) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) signed in 2022. About the Headquarters Agreement:

• It will provide CDRI an independent and international legal persona so that it can carry out its functions internationally, more efficiently.
• Ratification of the signed Headquarters Agreement between Gol and CDRI will facilitate grant of exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated under Section- 3 of the United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947.
• Significance: 
  1. The headquarters agreement basically gives CDRI a recognition of a global organisation due to which it will help in increasing the international work of CDRI.
  2. This will also facilitate the experts of CDRI member countries to come to Delhi to do CDRI-related work.
  3. Staff members who want to work in other countries will also get help regarding the procedure issues such as visa etc.
  4. The Government of India gives this status to all international institutions, as are the institutions of the United Nations, so now CDRI will be considered at the same international level.

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI):

• CDRI is a global partnership of National Governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, academic and knowledge institutions.
• Launch: The CDRI was launched by India during the United Nations Climate Action Summit in 2019, at New York.
• Aim: To promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks, thereby ensuring sustainable development.
• Members: Since its launch, thirty-one (31) Countries, six (06) International Organizations and two (02) private sector organisations have become members of CDRI.

News Source: pib