In a landmark move toward strengthening urban resilience, Nagaland has officially joined the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s flagship initiative, Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030). The global partnership aims to help cities worldwide reduce disaster risks, enhance preparedness, and promote sustainable urban development.
According to a statement from the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), the initiative will support the state in “enhancing early warning systems, improving risk-sensitive urban planning, strengthening Urban Local Bodies, and developing climate-resilient infrastructure.” The collaboration also opens avenues for Nagaland to access global expertise and climate finance opportunities.
“Nagaland’s decision marks a significant milestone in the State’s commitment to safeguarding its cities and communities against increasing climate-induced and geophysical hazards, including extreme rainfall, flash floods, landslides, earthquakes, and rapid urban expansion in vulnerable hill terrains,” stated a press release issued by the Additional Secretary to the Government of Nagaland.
By joining MCR2030, Nagaland becomes part of a global network of more than 1,300 cities working toward the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and India’s national disaster management priorities.
The initiative will assist the state in multiple areas, including multi-hazard early warning systems, predictive risk intelligence, and improved land-use governance. It will also focus on building technical and institutional capacities within Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), developing city resilience strategies, and aligning infrastructure projects with international standards for climate resilience.
Welcoming Nagaland’s entry into the MCR2030 platform, the government stated, “Nagaland’s urban centres are expanding rapidly, and the State is highly exposed to landslides, rainfall extremes, and other climate-related risks. Joining MCR2030 will significantly improve preparedness, strengthen governance, and equip our cities with global tools and best practices. This step reflects our firm commitment to building a safer, resilient, and sustainable Nagaland for future generations.”
Through the initiative, key urban centres will undertake structured resilience assessments and implement targeted interventions such as urban drainage management, hill slope stabilization, landslide mitigation, and strengthened emergency response systems. Other priorities include improved storm-water management, resilient transport planning, and the integration of green infrastructure and climate adaptation measures.
As part of the global network, Nagaland will collaborate with UN agencies, research institutions, development partners, and international donors. These partnerships are expected to facilitate access to climate finance, innovative funding models, and risk-transfer mechanisms for sustainable urban growth.
The Government of Nagaland expressed appreciation to the UNDRR and all stakeholders, particularly the Department of Municipal Affairs, for their support in advancing this transformative effort. The initiative, it said, represents a step toward “creating safe, inclusive, and future-ready cities” and positions Nagaland as a resilience leader among India’s hill states and within the Northeast region.