Global Forum on Emergency Telecommunications (GET-2019)

Forthcoming The 3rd Global Forum on Emergency Telecommunications (GET-2019): Saving Lives, organized by the International Telecommunication Union and hosted by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority of Mauritius (ICTA) will take place from 6 to 8 March 2019, in Balaclava, Mauritius.

This event comes at a time when natural hazards are having devastating impacts on people and economies across the globe. At the same time, incredible growth in ICT networks and services and innovation in technologies open doors to opportunities for saving lives and limiting the impact of disasters. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has also helped raise awareness of the importance of disaster risk reduction and management. Of the 17 goals for sustainable development established by the United Nations, Goals 1, 2, 11 and 13 make reference to the need of nations and communities to address the challenges of disasters.

The forum will highlight the role of information and communication technology (ICT) networks and services in disaster risk reduction and management, and saving lives. Discussions will also revolve around how the use of telecommunication/ICT for disaster risk reduction contribute to the achievement of internationally agreed targets, including those of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Sessions will focus on disaster risk reduction strategies, national emergency telecommunication planning and policies, resilient infrastructure, and national coordination. The event will also highlight the importance of early-warning and monitoring systems, the introduction and use of emerging technologies and innovations, and the application of big data to predict and address emergency situations. GET-2019 will showcase and demonstrate the role of new technologies such as big data, internet of things, robotics, and artificial intelligence in detecting, monitoring and predicting disasters as well as their applications in the immediate aftermath of disasters.

GET-2019 brings together ICT ministers, heads of national ICT regulatory authorities, chief executive officers from the ICT industry, heads of United Nations organizations, other senior level participants and representatives from non- governmental organizations, humanitarian organizations, development banks, regional disaster management organizations, academia and media. It serves as the main international forum to discuss opportunities and challenges, to share experiences, discuss policies, and showcase the use of new technologies and services for disaster risk reduction and management.