Recommendation ITSU-XIX.2: WORKING GROUP ON THE CENTRAL AMERICA PACIFIC COAST TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM (endorsed by the 37th Session of the IOC Executive Council, June 2004

Recommendation ITSU-XIX.2

WORKING GROUP ON THE CENTRAL AMERICA PACIFIC COAST TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM

The International Co-ordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific,

Recognizing that Central America has a significant threat from both local and distant tsunamis;

Noting that the six countries of Central America and the Coordination Center for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America (CEPREDENAC) during a meeting held in Managua, Nicaragua on 3 September 2003 decided to start the process for a Regional Tsunami Warning System and to request IOC/ITSU assistance in developing it;

Acknowledging that there already exist within the countries of Central America many capabilities applicable to the requirements of a tsunami warning system;

Recognizing further that a draft proposal for a Tsunami Warning System for Central America has been developed by Nicaragua and is currently in the process of review and consultation by the Central American countries as requested by the Executive Secretary of CEPREDENAC;

Further acknowledging that there are mutual benefits to the Central America region and the Pacific region that would be realized through the establishment of this warning system;

Decides to establish an Intersessional Working Group on the Central America Tsunami Warning System with the following terms of reference:

·         To identify immediate and long-term ways on how ITSU, ITIC, and PTWC can assist in the development and implementation of this system;

·         To review and recommend to the Executive Secretary of CEPREDENAC improvements to the proposal, based upon the long experiences of ITSU,

Recommends that the Group will be composed of representatives from Nicaragua, Chile, France, Observer from El Salvador, the Directors of ITIC and PTWC and Chaired by the representative from Nicaragua.

Acknowledges that ITSU is the Co-ordinating Body for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific (TWSP) and encourages non-ITSU Member States to contact the IOC Secretariat to request membership of the ICG/ITSU.

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Financial implications

US$ 5000 for 2004

US$ 5000 for 2005