Moving the process forward Sálvano Briceño UN/ISDR

Large and increasing disaster burden Growing recognition of early warning role Slow progress in effective use of warnings Specific proposals generated by the Conference Need for organized international approach Effective Early Warning to Reduce Disasters: The Need for More Coherent Action at All Levels

Lessons generated by the Conference Lessons from the Conference Area of focus 1: Better integration of early warning (and related disaster risk reduction and management) into development processes and public policies An import area with many critical recommendations Building systematic approaches, through legislation, specific roles and responsibilities, benchmarks, etc. Motivating commitment, including through the assessment of benefits and value of early warning Promoting early warning in international agendas

Lessons from the Conference Area of focus 2: Improved data collection and availability for forecasting on different time scales and investigating long-term risk factors Building the technical foundation Better risk maps, more sustainable monitoring and forecasting, and more accurate and relevant warnings Collaboration to build and share improved information and knowledge Recognizing the emerging complexity of hazards

Lessons from the Conference Area of focus 3: Improved capacities and strengthened early warning systems, particularly in developing countries Filling gaps in skills and capacities in all countries Needs assessment, training and education at all levels and covering all aspects of the early warning process System design, equipment and their sustainability Strengthening locally-relevant approaches to early warning

Lessons from the Conference Area of focus 4: Development of people-centred warning systems Addressing an area not well addressed at present Recognition of and focus on those at risk Community-based early warning approaches, with specific engagement of civil society Gender-relevant mechanisms, information and involvement Integrated into systematic approach, with indicators etc

Lessons from the Conference Area of focus 5: Mechanisms for sustaining the early warning dialogue and supporting the development of the programme Concrete means to enhance partnerships and action Need for coordinated international strategy and action Stimulating innovation, e.g. on benchmarks, benefit/cost studies Promoting early warning in international forums Supporting national and sub-national programmes

Conclusions New and urgent opportunity to develop early warning as a substantial contributor to reducing disaster impacts Conference participants inputs provide an extremely strong and expert basis for moving ahead Commitments of partner institutions to collaborate to build a structured programme for the future, including Germanys valued continuing support The start of a new phase in the continuing process of dialogue and productive collaboration