Tonga is hosting an international meeting this week in Nuku'alofa to discuss the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System.

The 46 member states of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/PTWS) are meeting at the Fa'onelua Convention Center.

They will discuss the technical and policy matters regarding the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (PTWS), at the thirtieth session of the ICG/PTWS, PMO reported.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu said Tonga hosted the session, driven by a deep commitment to safeguarding the people of Tonga following the memorable experience of the Hunga-Tonga Hunga Ha’apai Volcanic eruption and tsunami on 15 January 2022.

She called on the leaders of the 46 Member States of the Pacific Tsunami Warning System to support this important forum and its activities.

She said that 80% of tsunamis happen within the Pacific Ocean's “Ring of Fire” with 90% of deaths being caused by local or regional tsunamis.

“Therefore, there is a need to build resilient communities through better awareness and preparedness strategies that will protect lives, livelihoods and property from tsunamis.”

Countries with close proximity to subduction zones that generate tsunamigenic earthquakes triggering tsunamis with less than 20 minutes to the closest shoreline, like Tonga, have paid a lot of attention to the natural phenomenon due to recent and past tsunami experiences.

ICG/PTWS

Chair of the ICG/PTWS, Mr Nishimae San mentioned the ICG/PTWS, formerly known as ICG/ITSU for International Tsunami, is coordinated by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). It was established in 1965 as the ICG/ITSU for International Tsunami and first convened in 1968.

An international cooperative effort involving Member States of the Pacific, the ICG/PTWS meets regularly to review progress and coordinate activities resulting in improvements in the service. The ICG/PTWS was established as a response to the 1960 Chile Earthquake and Tsunami. When the ICG/PTWS was established, it had been called ICG/ITSU (International Coordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific). After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, ICG was organised in other seas to mitigate a tsunami disaster. At that time, ICG/ITSU was renamed to ICG/PTWS.

The PTWS area of responsibility includes the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean regions of the Pacific and all attached marginal seas, including the Philippine Sea, East China Sea, Yellow Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, Bering Sea, South China Sea, Java Sea, Arafura Sea, Sulawesi Sea, Mindanao Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, Bismarck Sea, Solomon Sea, Coral Sea, and Tasman Sea.

Pacific Islands Leaders have recently made significant commitments to enhance disaster resilience including support for the Weather Ready Pacific Decadal Programme of Investment.
In conclusion, the Thirtieth Session of ICG/PTWS marks a significant step towards enhancing tsunami resilience in the Pacific Ocean Basin. It symbolises a commitment to protecting lives and communities from the devastating impacts of tsunamis.