Multiple Countries Launch Early Warnings for All Initiative Roll-outs

National roll-outs of the Early Warnings for All initiative have officially begun across multiple countries, including Lao PDR, Nepal, Madagascar, Maldives, Tajikistan, Somalia, and Uganda, to establish multi-hazard early warning systems and protect vulnerable populations from rising weather-related hazards by the end of 2027.

National roll-outs of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative are officially underway, underscoring the vital role that early warning systems play in saving lives before disasters strike. According to Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), With the warming climate and a rise in weather-related hazards, this is a very important topic for many nations, and the BDT remains fully committed to supporting the initiative.

Lao PDR and Nepal Launch Roadmaps at National Workshops

In Lao PDR, the EW4All national roll-out workshop was held on 21 September 2023. The event was led by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), alongside co-organizers the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Participants discussed a multi-year, multi-stakeholder EW4All National Roadmap spanning 2023 to 2027 to achieve universal early warning coverage and secure increased technical and financial investment.

Simultaneously, Nepal launched its EW4All initiative during a national roll-out workshop on 21 September 2023. The gathering aimed to build upon existing Multi-Hazard Early Warning System initiatives by introducing government and non-government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector to the framework, coordinating resources to meet the EW4All Action Plan by 2027. During the event, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) presented its role as the lead of EW4All Pillar 3, participated in a gap analysis breakout session, and provided country roadmap recommendations.

Madagascar and Maldives Target Value Chain Approaches

Madagascar, highly vulnerable to climate change as an Indian Ocean island nation, held a national workshop from 14 to 15 September 2023. Organized by the National Disaster Management Office and Risk (BNGRC) and the Center for Meteorological Conditions (DGM), the event reviewed current early warning systems and drafted a national roadmap. ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau presented its leadership of Pillar 3 focusing on warning dissemination and communication, working toward the goal of comprehensive coverage by the end of 2027.

In the Maldives, a national consultation took place on 4 and 5 July 2023 to build upon existing regulations and operationalization of early warning services. Discussions centered on identifying national gaps and needs to establish a people-centered, multi-hazard impact-based early warning system spanning all four pillars of EW4All, supported by upcoming financing mechanisms.

Tajikistan Breaks Ground in the CIS Region

Tajikistan hosted its launch and National Consultative Workshop for EW4All on 29 August 2023. This marked the first such event in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region, establishing a new precedent for regional engagement under the global framework.

Multiple Countries Launch Early Warnings for All Initiative Roll-outs

Somalia and Uganda Coordinate Action Plans

National stakeholders in Somalia expressed strong interest in establishing a coordination mechanism, sharing a commitment to draft a common agenda to be prepared over four to five months covering the 2024–2027 period. Meanwhile, Uganda launched its initiative between 15 and 17 November 2023 under the theme Breaking Silos; Enhancing Cooperations, identifying overall multi-hazard early warning system statuses, gaps, and future priorities.

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