Attachments
SUMMARY
Early Warning Systems (EWS) are proven, effective, and feasible disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation measures which save lives and provide a tenfold return on investment. To be effective, early warning systems must be accessible, inclusive and appropriate to the needs of people and communities. Despite advancements in science and technology, some communities remain hard to reach with timely and accurate warning messages. To address this challenge, the United Nations Secretary-General launched the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative to ensure that every person on Earth is protected from disasters through life-saving early warning systems by 2027. In the Pacific, the regionally led Weather Ready Pacific Programme is a key vehicle for delivery of the EW4ALL.
As part of the EW4ALL initiative, the Government of Kiribati hosted a national consultation workshop on early warning and anticipatory action on 19-21 March 2025. The workshop represented a significant stride in country’s efforts to establish people-centred and multi-hazard early warning systems. The objective of the workshop was to take stock of needs, gaps and priority actions on EWS to develop a national multihazard early warning systems (MHEWS) roadmap. The Government of Kiribati, under the leadership of its Office of the President (The Office of Te Beretitenti) and the Kiribati National Expert Group on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (KNEG) led the consultation process. More than 80 participants, including 33 Mayors and Clerks from 18 outer islands, representatives from the key government and nongovernment agencies, and development partners took part in the national workshop to identify key challenges, needs and priority areas for developing national multi-hazard and inclusive EWS. The workshop resulted in the initial draft of needs assessment which will be the basis for developing MHEWS roadmap.