Moving the process forward

Sálvano Briceño UN/ISDR

Large and increasing disaster burden

Growing recognition of early warning role

Slow progress in effective use of warnings

Specific proposals generated by the Conference

Need for organized international approach

Effective Early Warning to Reduce Disasters: The Need for More Coherent Action at All Levels

Lessons generated by the ConferenceLessons from the Conference

Area of focus 1: Better integration of early warning (and related disaster risk reduction and management) into development processes and public policies

An import area with many critical recommendations

Building systematic approaches, through legislation, specific roles and responsibilities, benchmarks, etc.

Motivating commitment, including through the assessment of benefits and value of early warning

Promoting early warning in international agendas

Lessons from the Conference

Area of focus 2: Improved data collection and availability for forecasting on different time scales and investigating long-term risk factors

Building the technical foundation

Better risk maps, more sustainable monitoring and forecasting, and more accurate and relevant warnings

Collaboration to build and share improved information and knowledge

Recognizing the emerging complexity of hazards

Lessons from the Conference

Area of focus 3: Improved capacities and strengthened early warning systems, particularly in developing countries

Filling gaps in skills and capacities in all countries

Needs assessment, training and education at all levels and covering all aspects of the early warning process

System design, equipment and their sustainability

Strengthening locally-relevant approaches to early warning

Lessons from the Conference

Area of focus 4: Development of people-centred warning systems

Addressing an area not well addressed at present

Recognition of and focus on those at risk

Community-based early warning approaches, with specific engagement of civil society

Gender-relevant mechanisms, information and involvement

Integrated into systematic approach, with indicators etc

Lessons from the Conference

Area of focus 5: Mechanisms for sustaining the early warning dialogue and supporting the development of the programme

Concrete means to enhance partnerships and action

Need for coordinated international strategy and action

Stimulating innovation, e.g. on benchmarks, benefit/cost studies

Promoting early warning in international forums

Supporting national and sub-national programmes

Conclusions

New and urgent opportunity to develop early warning as a substantial contributor to reducing disaster impacts

Conference participants’ inputs provide an extremely strong and expert basis for moving ahead

Commitments of partner institutions to collaborate to build a structured programme for the future, including Germany’s valued continuing support

The start of a new phase in the continuing process of dialogue and productive collaboration