Bangkok--3 Mar--UN
ESCAP, Thailand to sign new agreement on 7 March 2011
A signing ceremony for the agreement between the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Royal Thai Government to mark the broadened scope of the ESCAP Fund supporting early warning systems for tsunamis will take place at the UN Conference Centre, Bangkok, on Monday, 7 March 2011. The event will be hosted by Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP in the presence of H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minster of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
A United Nations fund supporting early warning systems for tsunamis was established in 2005 in the wake of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami with the generous contributions of the Governments of Thailand and Sweden. Results of the Fund so far include the establishment of the Regional, Integrated, Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES), which calls for countries to work together for an early warning system for tsunamis, cyclones and other hazards, and has resulted in significant cost savings.
Taking into account the positive results and the continued need to strengthen early warning system for extreme weather events, the scope of the fund, ESCAP and the Royal Thai Government will sign an agreement to mark the broadened scope of the fund.
NOTE TO EDITORS: You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the signing ceremony which will take place on Monday, 7 March 2011, at 10.00 to 11.00 hours in Meeting Room H, first floor of the United Nations Conference Centre, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok. For further information, please contact:
Sukanitt Jarunveshsuti, ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division, United Nations ESCAP, Tel: +66-2-288 2033, E-mail:
[email protected]
Thawadi Pachariyangkun, United Nations ESCAP Information Services, Tel: +66-2-288 1861, Cell: +66 81 835 8647, E-mail:
[email protected]