Working group on tsunamis and other hazards related to sea-level warning and mitigation systems (TOWS-WG), Second session, UNESCO headquarters, Paris, France, 24 March 2009
IOC (2009). Working group on tsunamis and other hazards related to sea-level warning and mitigation systems (TOWS-WG), Second session, UNESCO headquarters, Paris, France, 24 March 2009. IOC Reports of Meetings of Experts and Equivalent Bodies(IOC/TOWS-WG-II/3). UNESCO: Paris. 30 pp. Part of: IOC Reports of Meetings of Experts and Equivalent Bodies. UNESCO: Paris. ISSN 1014-9538, more |
| Keywords | Hazard mitigation
Water waves > Surface water waves > Tsunamis
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract | The Second Meeting of the Working Group on Tsunamis and Other Hazards Related to Sea-Level Warning and Mitigation Systems (TOWS-WG-II) was held in Paris at UNESCOHeadquarters on 27 March 2009, under the co-chairmanship of Dr Neville Smith (IOC Vicechairman)and Dr François Gerard (I-GOOS Chairman). The meeting reviewed progress withrespect to actions and decisions taken by the Governing Bodies through Resolution XXIV-14and Resolution EC-XLI.6, also in relation to the results of the Global Meeting of theIntergovernmental Coordination Groups for Tsunami Warning Systems (Paris, 24-26 March2009).Highlights and recommendations from the meeting are the following:- TOWS WG-II report on the progress achieved by the ICG Chairpersons in working withthe Member States and the TOWS-WG on the development of harmonized workinggroup structures as a foundation for inter-operability, with a view to preparingrecommendations for IOC principles, criteria and procedures for ocean-related hazardswarning and mitigation systems- Proposal to establish three inter-ICG Task Teams devoted respectively to sea level,preparedness, and tsunami watch operations, with a view to facilitate coordination ofactivities, development of common requirements and standards, and sharing of bestpractices-Initial Draft Strategy and Plan for the Implementation of the Global Ocean-relatedHazards Warning and Mitigation System Framework and of the TOWS-WGRecommendations, to be further elaborated based on the inputs from the ICGs-Inclusion of requirements on the collection and exchange of real-time sea level data fortsunami warning purposes in the work programmes of JCOMM/GLOSS andJCOMM/DBCP, as well as the possible review of GLOSS terms of reference to reflect theoperational requirements of the tsunami warning centres- Need for ICGs to identify high-priority science issues that can benefit from contributionsfrom IOC programmes and scientific and technical subsidiary bodies in the context of theProgramme and Budget for 2010-2011 and developing a whole-of-IOC perspective-Investigation with the CTBTO Secretariat to conclude an agreement about the provisionof i.a. seismic data to TWCs and the coordination of related matters- Investigation with CTBTO and other seismic networks of the possibilities for improvedexchange and standardization of real-time seismic data and coordination of trainingprograms for global seismic monitoring for tsunami warning purposes,-Facilitation of the exchange, review and adoption of documents and guidelines related torisk assessment methodologies and other standards developed by the ICGs-Development of a document with definitions and terminology on hazards, disasters,vulnerability and risks drawing on existing documents developed by bodies like UN/ISDRfor use by the IOC Secretariat, its Subsidiary Bodies, and its programmes- Assessment of the IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy as it applies to tsunamiwarning systems and the monitoring of its implementation to ensure the open, free, andunrestricted sharing of tsunami-relevant observational data needed for timely andeffective ocean-related hazard detection, analysis, and warning for coastal communities-Possible revision of the terms of reference of GEBCO to promote and coordinate thedevelopment of high-resolution bathymetric data in coastal areas and digital elevationmodels |
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