Your Excellency, the Chair,
Dear Ladies and Gentleman,
In my short presentation I will speak mostly about our experience in dealing with mega
disasters caused by tsunamis originated by earthquakes. If there are questions about other
mega disasters, they may be briefly addressed in the discussion.
Ladies and Gentleman,
As the only United Nations specialized organization in marine sciences, services, observations,
and related capacity development, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of
UNESCO would like to use the opportunity of this Conference and of this important event, to
reaffirm its commitment to cover the oceans with tsunami warning systems. This
commitment was first made in Kobe, in 2005, ten years ago, at the Second World Conference
on Disaster Risk Reduction, in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004.
Today I can characterize the situation with the tsunami warning systems as follows:
The first and most mature Pacific Tsunami Warning System continues its successful operation
and will soon celebrate its 50th anniversary.
We can also proudly report that the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System has become
operational.
For the North East Atlantic and Mediterranean Tsunami Warning System region, there has
been steady progress towards the provision of tsunami watch services for the region. Four
countries (France, Greece, Italy and Turkey) have established National Tsunami Warning
Centers and act as Tsunami Service Providers to countries that want to for countries in the
region.
For the Caribbean there has been steady progress. Interim Tsunami warning system coverage
is presently provided by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii. There has been
significant improvements in the regional seismic and sea level observing network in the
region, and 48 municipalities presently participate in a performance based Tsunami
community recognition program
In addition many countries have established National Tsunami Contacts and National
Tsunami Warning Points, and several countries have made national investments that
contribute towards the four regional tsunami warning systems, including enhancements of
their detection networks (seismic and sea level observations) and education, awareness and
preparedness activities.
In all four regional tsunami warning systems regular Tsunami communication and warning
exercises are now also carried out on a regular basis.
As part of the efforts to develop tsunami warning systems in the four regions, IOC has
organised more than 60 training courses in Standard Operating Plans, tsunami modelling,
tsunami hazard and vulnerability mapping, exercise planning and similar the IOC has
organized the production of a large set of manuals and guides in various languages helping to
increase Tsunami preparedness and awareness and best practices.
In tandem with the establishment of the four regional Tsunami Warning Systems, Regional
Tsunami Information Centres have been established with the objectives of providing
awareness information on tsunami and other sea-level related hazards to the general public
and communities.
In totality very significant progress since the 2nd UNWCDRR in Kobe in 2005.
But we, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, are not a funding agency. It is the
countries, the Member States of the Commission that invest in such warning systems and,
through such systems, into safety of their people. The IOC stands ready to support countries
in this process by offering a platform for international cooperation at the governmental level.
The tsunami warning systems are truly international because earthquakes and other triggers
of tsunami may occur in one country but the tsunami may come and devastate the coast of
another country located very far way from the epicentre of the quake. This calls for all kinds
of scientific cooperation, standardization and capacity development.
So, what do we need? The core tsunami warning systems need first to be further developed, to
improve the reliability of detection and accuracy of warnings, and to reduce the rate of false
alarms. For that we need strong scientific research and reliable observations. But even the
most advanced systems will be useless if they do not reach people. For that we need efficient
standard operating procedures and effective means of communicating warnings to people.
And, most importantly, people need to know what to do in presence of natural signs of a
tsunami, with or without a warning. We need to continue to educate people. Japan, the
gracious host of this Conference, can provide an outstanding example of awareness about
earthquakes and tsunamis and a similarly impressive example of resilience to these natural
hazards. This was clearly demonstrated to the whole world following the Great East Japan
Earthquake of 2011.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction underscores the increasingly important
role of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems. We should anticipate that continuing
urbanization of the coastal zone will lead to an increase exposure of human beings and
economic assets. Coastal subsidence, due to natural processes and also due to ground water
extraction will increase the exposure of the coasts to impact from the ocean. We should add to
this the implications of the sea-level rise and other possible manifestations of the climate
change and variability. Because of that, further development of the tsunami warning systems
should be designed in a multi-hazard perspective.
Summarising, we need to
Firstly, continue to improve the science and methodologies of warning systems,
Secondly, develop and sustain corresponding observing and detection systems,
Thirdly, continuously conduct trials of the warning systems,
Fourthly, educate coastal population and make sure that alarms reach people so that they
know what to do when they receive an alarm.
And fifthly, we need to seek commitments of countries to develop tsunami warning systems
as a part of comprehensive multi-hazard disaster risk reduction strategy and programme.
The enormous and resounding wakeup call that the Indian Ocean tsunami produced in the
decision makers group, enabled the very fast development of regional and national tsunami
warning systems. But the rapid development phase is naturally fading out. Our experience is
telling us that these mega disasters are an opportunity for development. The challenge
remain for us to make sure that these one-time opportunities translate into a firm and lasting
culture of linking science, operational systems, and education and community based disaster
risk reduction.
To be successful, these systems require sustained funding, which is, as I have already
mentioned, a direct investment into people safety.
Thank you very much for your attention.