Ahead of the World Tsunami Awareness Day, the UN chief said it is critical to boost support to developing countries and improve detection and early warning.

In the face of increasing complex global crises, Guterres stated, we must be better prepared and together build resilience against all disasters.

Science and international cooperation -as well as preparedness and early action- must be at the heart of our efforts to save lives from tsunamis and other hazards.

We can build on progress achieved -ranging from better outreach to tsunami-exposed communities around the world, to the inclusion of a Tsunami Program in the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development.

Rising sea levels caused by the climate emergency will further exacerbate the destructive power of tsunamis. We must limit warming to 1.5 degrees over pre-industrial averages and invest at scale in the resilience of coastal communities.

In December 2015, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) designated Nov. 5 as World Tsunami Awareness Day, calling on countries, international bodies and civil society to raise tsunami awareness and share innovative approaches to risk reduction.

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