First Workshop of Asia-Pacific Region Global Earthquake and Volcanic Eruption Risk Management (G-EVER 1)

As shown by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake, Asia-Pacific Region is an area with high risk of catastrophic natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Once a disaster occurs, in today's highly globalized economy, it can create unpredictable turmoil all over the world, not just in the affected area. Countermeasures against these large-scale disasters are crucial for the sustainable development of the global economy to ensure human security. Now is the time to establish an effective international framework where we collaborate and develop a system to gather information on disaster mitigation in Asia-Pacific Region, including Japan.

Purposes of "G-EVER 1" are as mentioned below:

• Enhance collaboration among geological institutes within the Asian Circum-Pacific Region and rearrange existing information about the future risk for global earthquakes and volcanic disasters.
• Build international and national networks, set up a website, and establish a consortium so that we can share and provide the information.
• Create the environment to promote cooperative research, including personnel training, in the area with little information, especially in developing countries.
• Evaluate the risk of business activities in the Asia-Pacific region and seek to develop new business opportunities to provide information on the risk of catastrophic natural disasters.