Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The Second Tsunami Ready Summit, held in a hybrid format and supported by the Government of the United States, the International Tsunami Information Center Caribbean Office (ITIC-CAR), IOC-UNESCO, and the Government of Curaçao, convened representatives from over thirty member states of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE EWS) and individual experts.
Attendees included national disaster management agencies, meteorological services, regional and international scientific institutions, and development partners such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Puerto Rico Seismic Network (PRSN), University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), UN Women, UNICEF, University of Montpellier Paul-Valéry/EA LAGAM, World Institute on Disability (WID), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
In his keynote remarks, Hon. Charles Cooper, Minister of Traffic, Transport, and Urban Planning of Curaçao, emphasized that the summit reflects a commitment to collaboration for safer communities. He noted that while tsunamis are rare, their impacts can be severe, underscoring the need for sustained public awareness, coordinated planning, and ongoing investment in preparedness.
United States Consul General Ramón “Chico” Negrón highlighted that when disasters exceed local capacity, the United States stands ready to assist. He said effective disaster response relies on partnerships with governments, regional organizations, NGOs, and the private sector. Consul Negrón also emphasized the lifesaving role of the Tsunami Ready program and praised the US National Weather Service Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the International Tsunami Information Center.
Mr. Matthieu Péroche, Chair of the ICG/CARIBE-EWS Task Team on Tsunami Ready, opened the ceremony by acknowledging the Caribbean’s diverse coastal settlements and the ongoing efforts needed to enhance tsunami preparedness across the region.