14.10.2003 – 15:47

DKKV-Geschäftsstelle

DKKV: Second International Conference on Early Warning

Bonn, Germany (ots)

Second International Conference on Early
Warning opened by German Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature
Conservation and Nuclear Safety, UN Under-Secretary-General for
Humanitarian Affairs and Heads of UN Agencies and Programmes

Bringing together international organizations, governments,
scientists, mayors, and a variety of representatives from civil
society, the Second International Conference on Early Warning
(EWC-II, 16-18 October 2003) presents an opportunity to enhance the
global dialogue on early warning, to ultimately protect lives and
livelihoods from the negative impacts of natural disasters.

The 2003 UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction will be
presented at 18:00 on 16 October by Mr. Jan Egeland.

Who:      Mr. Jürgen Trittin, German Federal Minister of
             Environment 
             Mr. Jan Egeland, Under-Secretary-General for
             Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations 
             Mr. Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director, UN Environment
             Programme 
             Mr. Michel Jarraud, Deputy Secretary-General, World
             Meteorological Organization

What:     The impacts of disasters have grown rapidly over the
past three decades, with thousands of fatalities, hundreds of
millions of people affected and tens of billions of dollars of
losses. Today, the challenge remains in obtaining political
responsibility to promote early warning of natural disasters, raising
public awareness and facilitating participation. The EWC-II will
focus specifically on the political commitment and responsibilities
required for effective early warning systems.

Where:    Internationales Kongresszentrum Bundeshaus Bonn (IKBB) 
             Görresstrasse Number 15, Entrance 2 A 
             53113 Bonn, Germany

When:     EWC-II opening ceremony and press conference Thursday 16
             October   
             Opening ceremony 09:30-12:00 
             Press conference 11:45-12:30 (immediately following Mr. 
             Töpfer's keynote speech)

EWC-II closing ceremony (presentation of Early Warning
   Programme/Conference Statement) and press conference 
   Saturday 18 October 
   Closing ceremony 15:00-16:00 
   Press conference 16:00-16:30

- Press services available on-site include PC and internet
     access, printing/copying facilities 
   - Additional press activities to be announced on-site 
   - Interviews available on request

Contact:

Nicole Rencoret
UN/ISDR
Tel. +41/22/917'27'77
Email: rencoret@un.org (English / French /Spanish )

Birgit zum Kley-Fiquet
DKKV
Tel. +49/0228/243'48'26
Email: birgit.zum.kley@inwent.org (German/French)