8th IATF meeting

8th IATF meeting

EWC-II purpose and preparations

• Addressed the challenge of translating accepted principles on early warning into action-oriented modalities

• 4 preparatory consultations in Bandung, Indonesia, 26-28 May 2003 (Asia region), Antigua, Guatemala, 3-5 June 2003 (the American Hemisphere) , Nairobi, Kenya 23-24 June 2003 (Africa region), and Potsdam, Germany 28-29 July 2003 (Europe region)

• EWC-II built on the findings of earlier international forums

8th IATF meetingThe Conference:

• Attended by ministers and government officials, representatives of UN and other multilateral organizations, assistance agencies, technical and research institutions and non-governmental organizations

• Provided panel discussions on:• New technologies and low-technology solutions,• The responsibilities of policy makers, and urban risks, and • Early warning as a decision tool for emergency management• Ministerial discussion on integrating early warning into public policy processes

• Provide presentations on good practices in early warning and on emerging issues

8th IATF meetingThe Conference:

• Held specific sessions sponsored by partners on:• Hazard maps for effective early warning (Japan, ADRC), • Integrated approaches to reduce societal vulnerability to droughts (drought network), • The implementation of transboundary early warning systems for floods (DKKV), and • New technologies and scientific networks (Helmholtz Gemeinshaft).

• Coverage was provided by the Earth Negotiation Bulletin, http://www.iisd.ca/isdr/ewc2/

8th IATF meetingRecommendations and Outputs

• Elements of a future international early warning programme

Recommended Areas of Focus:

The integration of early warning into relevant development policies and programmes; The improvement of data collection, facilitating access to relevant data and forecasting; The enhancement of capacities; People centred warning systems in particular ensuring gender balance; and A platform to sustain the early warning dialogue

8th IATF meetingRecommendations and Outputs

The EWC-II participants called for:

• The integration of early warning systems into government policies and wide dissemination to authorities of the relevant guidelines,

• Governments and relevant organizations including the private sector to support the implementation of the early warning programme and to integrate the programme into disaster reduction strategies at all levels,

 • The ISDR Secretariat to facilitate the implementation of the proposed early warning programme, to sustain the dialogue on early warning and mobilize resources to strengthen partnerships and capacities at all levels

8th IATF meeting

THANK YOU

8th IATF meeting