Through Resolution XXIV-14, the IOC Assembly at its 24th session decided on the establishment of a Working Group on Tsunamis and Other Hazards Related to Sea-Level Warning and Mitigation Systems (TOWS-WG). The group is tasked primarily to advise the IOC Governing Bodies on coordinated development and implementation activities of warning and mitigation systems for tsunamis and other hazards related to sea level of common priority to all Intergovernmental Coordination Groups of Regional Tsunami Warning and Mitigation Systems.

By its IOC Decision A-31/3.4.1 on Warning Mitigation Systems for Ocean Hazards, the IOC Assembly in 2021 reaffirmed the need for continued inter-ICG coordination through TOWS and the

extended tenure of its two inter-ICG Task Teams on:

• Disaster Management and Preparedness (DMP), and

• Tsunami Watch Operations (TWO).

TOWS-WG-XVI will be hosted at IriDES, Sendai, Japan, on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 February 2024. The working language of the meeting will be English.