Disaster-induced losses can be significantly reduced through an enhanced coordination of observations related to hazards, timely processing of the data and dissemination of the resulting information to relevant authorities.

GEOSS implementation will provide a major contribution to the monitoring, prediction, early warning and mitigation of hazards occurring at local, regional and global levels.

GEO activities for 2006 will focus on:

• Developing a multi-hazard approach to early warning and crisis management
• Expanding the use of Earth observations for disaster prevention and mitigation
• Priorities jointly identified by the GEO Working Group on Tsunami Activities and IOC, building on the 2005 World Summit resolution to work expeditiously towards the establishment of a worldwide early warning system for all natural hazards with regional nodes, building on existing national and regional capacity such as the newly established Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System.