Fifteenth Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North-eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS-XV): IMPA, Portugal to Apply for TSP Accreditation

The Fifteenth Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System in the North-eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and connected seas (ICG/NEAMTWS) was held from 25–28 November 2018, Paris, France at UNESCO Headquarters.

Participants reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the NEAMTWS.

The Group discussed and approved the NEAMWave17 exercise (31 October - 3 November 2017 that tested the system in both its up-stream and down-stream elements) evaluation report.

The ICG was informed of the intention of IPMA, Portugal to apply for accreditation to become Tsunami Service Provider in the next intersessional period.

The session appreciated the continued effort of IOC in organising workshops in North-African countries supporting the further development of national tsunami early warming and mitigation capacities.

The Group welcomed the survey, analysis and proposed strategies for revitalizing NEAMTIC (Tsunami Information Center), and tasked Working Group 4 on Public Awareness, Preparedness and Mitigation with further analysis and requested an action plan for the redevelopment of the NEAMTIC website, and to report at the next ICG/NEAMTWS Steering Committee.

A significant part of the session explored future opportunities towards the establishment of a Tsunami Thematic Core Service (TCS) within EPOS – The European Plate Observing System, and European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC).

The session appreciated a presentation by Cecilia Valbonesi, INGV Rome – University of Florence on legal aspects of risk governance - liability of scientist and Civil Protection Authorities in Tsunami Warning System.

The ICG/NEAMTWS decided to organise and conduct the fourth tsunami exercise in 2020 (NEAMWave20).

The Fifteenth Session of ICG/NEAMTWS was attended by 61 participants from 17 member states and 3 observer organizations.