The world is witnessing unprecedented occurrences and impacts of disasters, leading to an uncertain future. Breakthrough innovations and judicious adoption of emerging technologies – whose science, development, and applications are largely unutilised, but which have immense scope and potential – could help us face these disasters. Recent technological innovations encompass applications of augmented reality, GIS, GPS, remote imaging, drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, nanotechnology, advance materials, computer assisted designing and modelling, 3D printing, big data and data mining, Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, Industry 4.0, blockchains, and so forth. On the other hand, innovations are also taking place on non-technology issues such as organizational change, policies for administration and governance, capacity development, and financing mechanisms (system innovations). Both sets of innovations are critical to build resilient infrastructure as they prepare us not only to face disasters more effectively with minimum loss and damage, but also give us the capability us to solve challenges quickly. Thus, innovations can aid rapid recovery and restoration, as well as support build back better and faster. The ICDRI session explored two fundamental aspects of leveraging innovations: i) Need and significance of innovations and emerging technologies in the context of disaster resilient infrastructure (DRI); and ii) Harnessing the potential of disruptive innovations in the field of DRI? The session featured a keynote address to outline the contours of innovations and emerging technologies in general, and how these can address the three pillars of infrastructure resilience: i) assessment, ii) preparedness, and iii) building back better, with specific focus on the system innovations needed to address the challenges of DRI. This was followed by a special address, a panel discussion with audience Q&A, and a closing note by the moderator.