ITSU-VIII/3 - International Co-ordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific, Eighth Session, Suva, Fiji, 13-17 April 1982

 

The Eighth Session of the International Co-ordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific ( ICG/ITSU) was opened by its Chairman, Mr. G. Dohler, at 10.00 on Tuesday, 13 April 1982, at the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Co-operation (SPEC) Headquarters, Suva, Fiji. He welcomed the participants and invited Mr. Sakeasi Waqanivavalagi, Minister of State for Lands and Mineral Resources, to address the Group.

Mr. Waqanivavalagi extended a warm welcome and best wishes to the participants. He remarked that tsunamis are events that mankind is bound to view with increasing seriousness. No country can isolate itself from the inevitable dangers and effects of tsunamis and therefore it is vitally important to examine jointly ways and means to take adequate precautions, particularly through tsunami warning systems, for the safety of lives in the event of such disasters. He noted that Fiji made certain steps to educate the people and bring about an awareness of the effects of tsunamis and earthquakes. The Minister further stated that this Session of the International Co-ordination Group will give the opportunity to monitor, report on, co-ordinate, establish and plan improvements to tsunami warning systems by programmes of benefit to Member States of IOC whose coastal areas are potentially threatened by tsunamis. In his closing remarks he said he felt sure that constructive and fruitful discussion would take place. The full text of his address is presented in Annex IV of the Summary Report.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Waqanivavalagi and called upon Mr. H. Plummer, Head of the Fiji Delegation, to address the Session. Mr. Plummer gave a welcoming speech to the participants on behalf of the Fiji Delegatlon and the staff of the Mineral Resources Department.

The Chairman thanked Mr. Plummer for the arrangements made, and, on behalf of the participants, expressed his gratitude for the work carried out by the local Organizing Committee. He then called on the Assistant Secretary, Dr. I. Oliounine.

Speaking on behalf of IOC, Dr. I. Oliounine expressed his gratitude to the Government of Fiji for hosting the meeting and providing such fine facilities. He emphasized further that IOC plays and will play a decisive role in the future on ocean studies and investigations. Each day sees the emergence of increasing interests and demands on the Commission, above all with respect to the developing countries. The role of ICG/ITSU is of profound importance for coastal populations and industries in developed as well as in developing countries of the Pacific that are threatened by tsunamis. The socio-economic development of Pacific nations, particularly that of island countries, must take fully into account the effects of natural disasters such as tsunamis, and therefore depends on the scientific investigation and prediction of such natural phenomena as tsunamis. Finally, he noted that the Secretary of IOC considers this Session as an important landmark in the development of the Pacific Tsunami Warning System.


 Informational Documents

Document Title Format/Type
ITSU-VIII Summary Report PDF  (1.45 MB)

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