Summary

Through Resolution XXIV-14, the IOC Assembly at its 24th session (2007) 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 Decision EC-57/3.2.1. on Warning and Mitigation Systems for Ocean Hazards, the IOC Executive Council in June 2024 reaffirmed the need for continued inter-ICG coordination through TOWS-WG and extended the tenure of the TOWS-WG and its Task Teams on: (i) Disaster Management & Preparedness (TTDMP), and (ii) Tsunami Watch Operations (TTTWO), with terms of reference as given in IOC Resolution XXIV-14 [for TOWS-WG], report IOC/TOWS-WG-VI/3, Annex II [for TTDMP] and report IOC/TOWS-WG-X/3, Annex II (Appendix 1) [for TTTWO].

TTDMP and TTTWO are holding meetings on 20-21 February 2025 and will report to TOWS WG-XVIII, which in turn will report back to the forthcoming IOC Assembly in June 2025. Agendas for the two Task Team meetings will be sent out separately to members of the Task Teams.