First meeting of arab earthquake experts begins

The first meeting of Arab world earthquake and natural disaster experts will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, in Rabat. The three-day conference is being organized by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO), in association with the Rabat-based Scientific Institute (Faculty of Mohamed V-Agdal) and the Arab Association for Remote Sensing Centers. As well as assessing what early warning systems for earthquakes and natural disasters do the member states have, the Arab earthquake experts will discuss possible mechanisms to enable educational and media bodies to actively contribute to increasing awareness of environment and natural disaster issues. They will also look into ways to enhance coordination among Arab scientific and research institutions for earthquakes and other natural calamities, and consider the possibility to establish an Arab database on earthquakes and natural disasters. In addition, the meeting will be an opportunity to learn about world experiences in detecting and reducing the effects of earthquakes and natural disasters, and awaken Arab senior officials to the potential dangers of earthquakes and natural hazards. The focus will be also on coordinating rescue and management efforts, regionally and internationally, in times of earthquakes and natural disasters, devise legislation on safer construction structures against earthquake and natural disaster damage in the Arab region, and enlarge exchange of expertise and experience among Arab countries, advanced countries and international control, forecast and relief organs. Officials and experts on earthquakes and natural disasters, from Arab and other countries, as well as representatives from UNEP Regional Office for West Asia and the Arab Association for Remote Sensing Centers, along with two international experts from Italy and Turkey, will participate in the meeting.