OECD High-level Seminar on Quality Infrastructure Investment Session 1-janos-bertok-infrastructure-resilience-in-light-of-covid19

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Janos Bertok
Deputy Director
Public Governance Directorate
Janos.Bertok@oecd.org
Infrastructure resilience in light of covid-19:
a governance perspective

2. Why is resilience of critical infrastructure essential?
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Why is resilience important in all types of infrastructure projects?
> COVID-19 has also increased the vulnerability of end users to other disasters
> Disruptive shocks to infrastructure services can result not only from a lack of supply, but also from a surge
in demand (e.g. to internet service providers or electricity).
> While COVID-19 does not impact the physicality of infrastructure assets, it can have an impact on
maintenance, and the availability of back and front office staff to ensure service provision
> The continuity of critical services in emergency responses sustains the production and delivery of public
health and safety measures
> Telework and transportation of essential workers and goods is needed for the economy to continue safely
Infrastructure resilience in the context of COVID-19

3. Governance challenges
and policy solutions to enhance
infrastructure resilience
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4. Including resilience considerations in the decision-making process
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> A robust strategic planning framework takes into account uncertainty and is flexible enough
to enable adjustments over time to reflect changing conditions
> Resilience requires proper scanning, identification and assessment of potential risks
> Scenario planning can be an important tool in risk analysis and to identify governance gaps
> Adequate selection and prioritization process must consider resilience costs and benefits
> The roles and responsibilities for resilience investments and liabilities should be clear and
previously defined
Infrastructure investment is subject to high levels of uncertainty
and it is not always clear who shares the responsibility of a risk

5. 5
Infrastructure providers prepare business continuity plans to
help prepare and respond to unexpected and extreme events
> Service providers that invest in back-up systems and capacity sharing protocols across
their industry will be better prepared to maintain service levels
> Prioritizing only essential maintenance procedures, running reduced services at off peak
times and working to ensure the continued health and safety of workers will ensure
operators can provide critical, whilst maybe not optimal services
Ensuring infrastructure resilience in times of crisis

6. 6
Shared nature of ownership and operation between public and
private stakeholders can pose governance challenges
Working with the private sector to strengthen resilience efforts
> Establishing trust between governments and operators is a key step towards securing
information sharing on risks and vulnerabilities
> Building partnerships with operators is an effective way to agree on a common vision and
achievable resilience objectives
> Promoting appropriate trade-offs between regulatory approaches and voluntary
collaboration can boost resilience strategies
> International cooperation fosters resilience in transboundary infrastructure systems

7. Transboundary cooperation in critical infrastructure systems
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AA A BB B
OECD (2020), OECD Indicators on Governance of Critical Infrastructure Resilience

8. 8
Government often have limited data on potential risks and
threats
Data management and monitoring
> Provide data and information about past risks and potential threats to inform better
decision-making
> Monitor performance and potential vulnerabilities over the asset life cycle and ensure
reporting to implement corrective mechanisms
> Understand complex (inter-)dependencies and vulnerabilities across critical infrastructure
systems

9. Level of government understanding of complex (inter-)dependencies and
vulnerabilities across critical infrastructure systems
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AA A BB B
OECD (2020), OECD Indicators on Governance of Critical Infrastructure Resilience

10. How can the OECD
support the work on infrastructure
resilience?
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11. 11
The OECD Recommendation on the governance of Infrastructure
An implementation toolkit with
good practices on infrastructure
governance to effectively attain
sustainable growth
Forward-looking vision for country
reviews and reports, providing
tailored policy recommendations
for more resilient infrastructure
Key tool to advance dialogue on
infrastructure planning, investment
and delivery to generate long-
lasting effects
Regulatory
framework
Integrity Evidence Life cycle
performance
Resilience
Strategic
vision
Fiscal
Sustainability
affordability
and VfM
Procurement Stakeholder
participation
Multilevel
governance

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OECD (2019), OECD Reviews of Risk Management Policies: Good Governance for Critical Infrastructure Resilience, OECD Publishing, Paris
1. Create a multi-sector governance
structure
2. Understand (inter-)dependencies and
vulnerabilities
3. Establish trust and secure information-
sharing
4. Build partnerships for common
resilience vision
5. Define policy-mix tools
6. Ensure accountability and monitoring
7. Address transboundary dimension
OECD Policy Toolkit on Governance of Critical Infrastructure Resilience

13. Learn more
Discover more about the OECD at oecd.org/about
@theOECD @OECD OECD-OCDE @the_OECD
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