Pre-Events Programme

11:00 – 12:30

The Tampere Convention: Ratification and Implementation

Organizers: ITU and Government of Kuwait

The Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations, which came into force in 2005, is a legally binding international treaty. Among others, it calls on States to facilitate the provision of prompt telecommunication assistance to mitigate the impact of a disaster, and overs both the installation and operation of reliable, flexible telecommunication services

More lives can be saved if the Convention is ratified by all countries.

This pre-event focused on promoting the ratification and implementation of the convention by Member States at the national level.

Opening Remarks: Mr. Brahima Sanou, Director Telecommunication Development Bureau, ITU

• Mr. Cosmas Zavazava, Chief of Department, Project Support and Knowledge Management, BDT,ITU (presentation)
• Mr. Paula P. Ma’u, CEO of Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, Tonga (presentation)
• Mr. Hector Lizarraga, Telecommunications Regional Technical Commission, COMTELCA, Honduras (presentation)
• Eng. Sameera Mohammad - Director of Minister's Technical office, Kuwait

Role of ICTs in Disaster Risk Reduction

Organizers: ITU and UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)

ICTs play a critical role in disaster risk reduction. Paragraph 33 of the Sendai

Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) makes clear reference to the importance of investing in, developing, maintaining and strengthening early warning systems, disaster risk and emergency communications, social technologies and hazard-monitoring telecommunications systems. It also stresses the importance of promoting the resilience of new telecommunications infrastructure, among others.

This pre-event discussed modalities of implementing the Sendai Framework for DRR, in conjunction with Goal 13 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Moderator

Mr. Cosmas Zavazava, Chief of Department, Project Support and Knowledge Management, BDT/ ITU

Opening Remarks: Mr. Brahima Sanou, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau, ITU

Opening Remarks: Mr. Adam Bouloukos, Director of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)

Speakers:

• H.E. Mr. Siaosi Sovaleni, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, Tonga
• Ms. Ruxandra Obreja, Chairman, Digital Radio Mondiale, BBC world Service Group. (presentation) (media)
• Ms. Iman Haidar, Coordinator Operations Center, Disaster Management and Emergency, Kuwait Red Crescent Society
• Mr. Ibrahim Hamdan Al Ma’awali, Senior Specialist Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Sultanate of Oman (presentation)
• Mr. Adam Bouloukos, Director of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)