ISDR: Platform for the Promotion of Early Warning


International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Platform for the Promotion of Early Warning


TSUNAMI

Project overview
Introduction - Project overview plan - Archive of project highlights - Key partners - Meetings on TEWS

Meetings on TEWS

Many meetings have been held or are planned to share information about tsunamis and warning systems and to articulate the wishes of the affected nations. The meetings have consistently supported the United Nations role in the development of an early warning system through UNESCO-IOC and the ISDR.


	Bali, Indonesia, 31 July – 2 August 2006 Third Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG-IOTWS-III) Agenda

	Bali, Indonesia, 30 July 2006 Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction Agenda Workshop report

	Bangkok, Thailand, 16-17 June 2006 Workshop on the Human Impact of Tsunami and Disaster Risk Reduction Agenda

	Bangkok, Thailand, 14-16 June 2006 Regional Workshop on Mitigation, Preparedness and Development for Tsunami Early Warning Systems in the Indian Ocean Region Agenda Workshop conclusions and recommendations

	Bridgetown Barbados, 10-12 January 2006 First Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean Sea and Adjacent Regions Announcement Provisional Agenda Timetable

	Hyderabad, India, 14-16 December 2005 Second Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning & Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWS-II) ICG/IOTWS-II Report Message from Sálvano Briceño Director, UN secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) on the occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the ICG/IOTWS-II

	Tsunami Early Warning Strengthening Project in the Indian Ocean -Partnership for Building Resilience to Tsunamis Side-Event Meeting at EWC III on Tuesday, 28th March 2006 The side-event on tsunami early warning is organized to brief participants on progress towards strengthening tsunami early warning systems in the Indian Ocean, and provide a forum to exchange information and experience with regard to implementation of activities and delivery of results at the regional, national, and local levels. Participants will discuss future prospects for partnership towards building resilience to tsunamis in the Indian Ocean region. Download agenda

	Perth, Australia, 3 to 5 August 2005 First Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWS-I) Summary of the results of the meeting

	Port Louis, Mauritius, 14-16 April 2005 Follow up meeting to the Paris 3-8 March meeting, designed to consider and seek coordination of plans and activities for the tsunami warning system and seek donor support for the next phases of development concerning the observing system, national tsunami centres, and regional cooperation mechanisms. The high-level delegation meeting is organized by UNESCO-IOC. Progress and further requirements for the development of a tsunami warning and mitigation system for the Indian Ocean; Second International Coordination meeting for the Development of a Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System for the Indian Ocean, Grand-Baie, Mauritius, 14-16 April 2005 IOC Information Document No 1213, UNESCO 2005 Outcome of the Second International Coordination Meeting for the Development of a Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System for the Indian Ocean: Mauritius declaration.

	Jakarta, Indonesia, 14-18 March 2005 Expert meeting on the exchange of early warning and related information including tsunami warnings in the Indian Ocean, organized by World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

	Paris, France, 3 – 8 March 2005 International Coordination Meeting for the Development of a Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System for the Indian Ocean within a Global Framework, organized by UNESCO-IOC.
	Communiqué of the Meeting IOC Workshop Report No.196 Opening Address of the UNESCO Director-General Opening Statement by Sálvano Briceño, Director, Inter-agency secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) Chairman Presentation Group 1: Technical Aspects of an Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System Presentation of Reid Basher, Coordinator of the Platform for the Promotion of Early Warning (PPEW), on the UN-wide tsunami early warning project.

	Brussels, Belgium, 14-15 February 2005 Third Earth Observation Summit, 16 February, 2005, Brussels, Belgium, organized by Group on Earth Observation (GEO). The Communiqué is related to support for tsunami and multi-hazard warning systems within the context of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

	Phuket, Thailand, 29 January 2005 The Phuket ministerial declaration on regional cooperation on tsunami early warning arrangements agreed that an effective early warning system for the Indian Ocean should include risk assessment, hazard monitoring and detection, prediction and formulation of warning, dissemination and communication of warning messages and knowledge as well as the preparedness to act.

	Beijing, China 25-26 January 2005 The China-ASEAN Workshop on Earthquake-Generated Tsunami Warning “Action Plan to Formulate a Technology Platform for Earthquake-Generated Tsunami Warning System” aimed to exchange experiences and lessons learned from the recent Indian Ocean tsunami disaster; exchange information on technology in the field of tsunami warning; and explore ways to carry out joint activities in the field of tsunami early warning through earthquake monitoring.

	Tokyo, Japan, 22-24 February 2005 Training Seminar - Mission on Policy Dialogue for High Level Administrative Policy Makers on Establishing a Tsunami Early Warning System in the Indian Ocean. Proposal Schedule

	Delhi, India January 2005 The brain storming meeting on Early Warning Systems for Tsunami indicated the main institutional stake holders in the proposed national early warning systems for India: Ministry of Science and Technology, Departments of Science and Technology, Department of Ocean Development, Indian Institute of Oceanography, Indian Space Research Organisation and the Indian national science academy. The meeting mainly consisted of technical presentations; it was organized by the Government of India.

	Kobe, Hyogo, Japan, 18-22 January 2005 The World Conference on Disaster Reduction considered tsunami and early warning issues.
	The Scoping Meeting on the Development of Tsunami Early Warning Systems, particularly in the Indian Ocean on 22 January, was intended to share information on the process to develop more effective tsunami early warning systems globally and in particular for the countries affected by the tsunami of 26 December 2004. The technical meeting of national representatives and UN organizations was organized by UNESCO/IOC and UN/ISDR. The Common statement of the Special Session on the Indian Ocean Disaster: Risk Reduction for a Safer Future comprises among others the following early warning system related issues: The need to strengthen national systems and to expand existing mechanisms for early warning, prevention, assessment and sharing of information and best practices is recognized. Regional disaster reduction mechanisms need to be established for all relevant natural hazards. Effective early warning systems consist of (a) knowledge of the risks (b) monitoring and warning, (c) dissemination of warnings, and (d) preparedness to act. To establish an effective and durable tsunami early warning system for the Indian Ocean the experience of the Pacific Tsunami Warning System (PTWS) should be integrated and the system must be tailored to the specific circumstances of the region. Preparatory technical scoping meetings, assessment of needs, regional seminars and coordination meetings, and the preparation and dissemination of public awareness and other appropriate material are some elements of establishing an Indian Ocean tsunami early warning system. Priority of early warning system issues at the Third Earth Observation Summit and at the Phuket-Meeting and the German offer to host a UN-conference on early warning was welcomed. Regional/Thematic Special Session: Promotion of tsunami disaster mitigation in the Indian Ocean - Towards establishment of tsunami early warning systems in the Indian Ocean by sharing experiences in the Pacific Ocean Programme Session Report Chair's Summary of the Regional/Thematic Special Session in the WCDR Report of the Conference The Hyogo Declaration Hyogo Framework for action 2005–2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters The Review of the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action for a Safer World For a summary of the main WCDR documents see PPEW newsletter 2005/1

	Port-Louis, Mauritius, 10-14 January 2005 UN Conference on Small Islands Developing States; extracts of UN-Secretary General’s statements on 13 January 2005: “ This tragedy has taught us once again the need for prevention and early warning. Last week’s meeting in Jakarta called for the establishment of a regional early warning system for the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. But we should do even more. We need a global warning system – and one that covers not just tsunamis but all other threats, such as storm surges and cyclones. In such an endeavor, no part of the world should be ignored. We must think globally, and consider measures equal to the task”. “ We are all inhabitants of the global island. All of us, rich and poor, weak and strong, whether citizens of a great power or of a tiny atoll, are linked in webs of opportunity and vulnerability. We should have known this already, but it has taken a tsunami to press the point home. The question now is whether we will act over the long term, not just in small islands but everywhere, in the same spirit of unity that characterizes the current moment.” “ If any good should come from the upheaval caused by the tsunami, I hope it will be to have proven, once and for all, the need to heed the warning signs, come together well in advance of calamity, and sustain a collective effort to end human misery and build strong foundations for development and peace.” “We are all inhabitants of the global island” – Kofi Annan On 14 January, UN-Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan declared that he was happy that his call for a global early warning system has been enthusiastically supported at the conference, reiterating that such a warning system should cover not just tsunamis but also other threats, such as storm surges and cyclones.

	Jakarta, Indonesia, 6 January 2005 The special ASEAN leaders' meeting issued a Declaration on action to strengthen emergency relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and prevention on the aftermath of earthquake and tsunami disaster.