ITSU-XVIII/3 - International Co-ordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific, Eighteenth Session, Catagena, Colombia, 8-11 October 2001

The Eighteenth Session of the International Co-ordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific was held in Cartagena, Colombia from 8-11 October 2001 under the Chairmanship of Mr. F. Schindele (France). He opened the meeting at 9:30 on 8 October 2001.

Capt. O. Malaver Calderon, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee and the Executive Secretary of the National Committee for Oceanography welcomed the participants in Cartagena and informed them of the attention and support given by the Colombian Government to marine research and monitoring. Colombia has a long coastline in the Pacific and Caribbean Sea, both of which are prone to tsunamis. The coastal area of the country is very densely populated. It was the reason why the Government of Colombia invited the ICG/ITSU to have its Eighteenth Session in Cartagena – the city with a long tradition in marine research and a beautiful historical place, which is in the list of the World Heritage Cultural Centres of UNESCO. Capt. Malaver Calderon wished the participants a successful Session and a pleasant stay in Cartagena.
In his welcome address, Mr. F. Schindele, Chairman of the ICG/ITSU, gave a short historical excurse on the IOC Tsunami Programme and focused on the Session’s objectives. He emphasized that to mitigate the tsunami hazard, several activities should be implemented:

• accurately assess the nature of the threat posed by the hazard;

• implement an appropriate warning system;

• develop awareness/education programmes to reduce the impact of tsunamis.

Mr. Schindele identified the objectives of the Session as to review the progress achieved, identify gaps in the programme elements development, and recommend ways for making the programme more effective and responsive to the community’s needs. He called on the participants to actively take part in the discussions and share their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the programme.
Finally, Mr. Schindele acknowledged with thanks, the kind invitation of the Government of Colombia to have ITSU-XVIII in Cartagena and thanked Capt. Malaver Calderon and all the members of the Local Organizing Committee for the time and energy they dedicated to the success of the Session.
Dr. I. Oliounine, IOC Consultant, passed on to the participants the best wishes for a productive Session from the IOC Executive Secretary, Dr. P. Bernal. He stressed that the IOC Tsunami Programme is the only programme of the Commission fully dedicated to the noble objectives of the International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) and the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), to devise strategies and policies for the reduction of natural disasters. The programme is performing a vitally important role in the international natural disaster reduction efforts. In the past years, it has assumed an increased importance. To effectively implement this role, there is a need, to not only develop scientific and technical knowledge, but also to develop contacts and exchanges, as well as further mutual understanding. He pointed out that this Session is a step in this direction.
Dr. Oliounine identified the two aims of the Session as: to make international and national instruments available for the advancement of the programme; and to place the programme at the service of the international and national communities.
The success of the programme and the surge of interest in the system clearly show that ITSU has a role to play in supporting the development of similar tsunami warning programmes in other regions. The experience in tsunami mitigation gained by IOC in the Pacific is needed in other regions.
Dr. Oliounine expressed his gratitude to the Government of Colombia for supporting numerous IOC activities and particularly the tsunami programme. Colombia has gained a wide reputation as a strong supporter and advocate of international co-operation in the world of ocean research and monitoring. Finally, he echoed the previous speakers in wishing the Session every success.
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