The role of resilience in global critical infrastructures

At this first event as part of our expert series focusing on resilience, a panel of international influencers convened to define, dissect and refine the key drivers that impact on global critical infrastructure

In this timely seminar, our panel sought to discuss the approach that different countries take towards identification and protection of critical infrastructure sectors, the challenges they face, and the sectors that they prioritise in protecting their critical infrastructure, drawing lessons about the different solutions needed to embed resilience into the implementation and operation of such critical assets. 

Hosted by the Queen Mary Global Policy Institute in partnership with the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils and the Japan Science and Technology Agency, the seminar began with an introduction and overview of the current situation with Roberto Alvarez, Executive Director, Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils providing an introduction that visualised the current situation in terms of global macro factors influencing critical infrastructures.

“We have a tremendous new frontier to address, resilience”

Kazuyoshi Shimada, Japan Science and Technology Agency - Director of Washington D.C. Office added further contexts noting that rising to the task of creating more resilient infrastructures can harbour a better society and business environment for everyone:

"How can we rise above these experiences to create a better future together?"

Professor Ioannis Kokkoris, Chair in Competition Law and Economics and Dean (International) at Queen Mary University of London made clear that resilience was not just a simple concept that can be applied in broad brushstrokes, but one that is agile, changeable and can be adapted to different scenarios:

“Why resilience? Resilience is a multi-faceted competence, and a very dynamic one"

Having set the scene appropriately, the panel then swiftly moved to the main part of the event discussion. The seminar format focused on four key questions, with each question the panel were able to unlock economic and societal insights, drawing upon their own experiences and expertise on the art of resilience in a cross sector global setting.

1. What makes a sector so special as to be ‘protected’ under rules that impose the requirement for any investment in these sectors to be reviewed from a national interest/national security perspective?

Professor Ioannis Kokkoris was keen to point out that with the speed of societal change increasing, it is likely that these rules will change and adapt to these emerging events:

“In the last few weeks/months we have seen cyberattacks, apparent shortages of fuel and more, we will have to adapt at a faster pace than we have in the past”

2. Over the last few years we are observing a proliferation of national interest / national security regimes aiming at ’reviewing‘ Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Can we face global issues and achieve the resilience of our nation at the same time?

Alejandro Silva, Director of Postgraduate Studies at UNSA noted the impact of asymmetries between communities in Peru in relation to resilience:

“Peru is ranked 75th in the world resilience index, it's very important to improve this capacity for resilience"

Deborah L. Wince-Smith, President & CEO, U.S. Council on Competitiveness, highlighted how a change in process can refine and leverage the resilience and prospects for key industries:

“Start with every organisation and entity. NYC has done a tremendous job over the years changing processes, how they communicate”

Kazuyoshi Shimada further reflected on the need for balance when achieving incremental levels of resilience in relation to global issues:

"Personal resilience is very important, not only for the leader but also for all of society. Japan learnt from earthquakes the value of self-strength and positive mental attitude”

3. How should we maintain the balance between national interest, corporate incentives and collaborative innovation to increase the resilience of our society and critical infrastructures?

Alejandro Silva put forwards the key pillars that need to be established in order to build robust systems that operate in times when resilience is required:

“You need to have good conversation between communities and enterprises and build transparency and fairness”

Professor Ioannis Kokkoris concurred that Alejandro's answer was excellent but also felt there must be a framework to give a balance between the government's approach to sectors and the decisions the government. is making to address concerns about unfair play when it comes to investment.

“Not an easy balance but it's a balance that we need to strive to find”

Professor Yasushi Sekine of the School of Advanced Science and Engineering at Waseda University and the Japan Science and Technology Agency, recalled that Japan had faced an oil crisis previously, and now imports coal and natural gas from Australia and crude oil from the Middle East as a result.

“Everything from all over the world for us is a 'best mix'. Now we have renewables, hydrogen - introduce new processes little by little, such transition might be most important for Japan but also the rest of the world, especially for electrical power generation”

4. How can countries steer the future use of critical national resources through resilience and sustainability-oriented efforts?

Professor Ioannis Kokkoris concluded the event by highlighting two key factors that would be required for futureproofing society and critical resources: Need two things, a global discussion between players, between groups of regional players. “We need to have a level playing field on resilience.”

Kazuyoshi Shimada provided a rationale for collaboration by illustrating how the need to systematically share thoughts on whatever the crisis we're facing might bring.

Professor Yasushi Sekine was keen to introduce the concept that advances in science, technology and data driven decision-making will impact positively on the ability to show resilience globally.

“Science and data-based decision-making might be most important for future resilience” 

Providing the concluding remarks for the event, Deborah L. Wince-Smith demonstrated how we can learn from macro-societal events and apply our learnings to future acts of resilience: "Take surprises as an opportunity for human progress and development".

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