The 2024 Capacity Assessment of Tsunami Preparedness is a crucial initiative led by UNESCO-IOC, with invaluable support from the ESCAP Trust Fund for Tsunami Disaster and Climate Preparedness, the Asian Development Bank, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. This collaborative effort is dedicated to bolstering tsunami preparedness and enhancing resilience across the Indian Ocean region.

From September 4-6, 2024, a Capacity Assessment Validation Workshop will be held to advance the comprehensive assessment of tsunami preparedness in UNESCO-IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWMS) Member States, in alignment with the 20th commemoration of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Workshop Objectives:

• The workshop will provide a platform to review the initial findings of the 2024 IOTWMS Capacity Assessment Survey. Participants will discuss key recommendations related to tsunami warning and mitigation, with the aim of obtaining endorsement from the ICG/IOTWMS Steering Group.
• A dedicated session will focus on reviewing Thailand's national response to the 2024 IOTWMS Capacity Assessment Survey. This will enhance understanding of tsunami warning and preparedness among relevant stakeholders and validate the survey process used for the 2024 assessment across the Indian Ocean. Additionally, the session will brief ESCAP, key agencies, and donors in Bangkok on the project’s progress.
• Representatives from the UNESCO-IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/PTWS) will be briefed on the survey process and analysis used in the 2024 IOTWMS Capacity Assessment. This will facilitate a similar approach for the 2025 PTWS Capacity Assessment of Tsunami Preparedness.

The ultimate goal of this workshop and the broader capacity assessment is to safeguard lives and assets from tsunami hazards within a multi-hazard framework, ensuring comprehensive preparedness and resilience across the region.