(a) whether multilateral conference was held at Phuket in Thailand to set up a multi-nodal system for early warnings against Tsunami in the Indian Ocean region and South East Asia;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether representatives of the Government of India participated in the said conference; and
(d) if so, details and the outcome of the deliberations held?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) A Ministerial meeting on regional cooperation on Tsunami Early Warning Arrangements in the Indian Ocean and South East Asia was held in Phuket, Thailand on 28-29 January 2005. The meeting was attended by representatives from 43 countries and 39 international organizations under the Chairmanship of Thailand as the host country.
(c) Yes, Sir.
(d) The meeting led to the adoption of `Phuket Ministerial Declaration on Regional Cooperation on Tsunami Early Warning Arrangements`. The Declaration inter-alia recognized the valuable role of existing national and specialized regional institutions and agreed that they should be strengthened. It further welcomed the establishment of a Voluntary Trust Fund on tsunami early warning arrangements in the Indian Ocean and South East Asia so as to promote predictable funding and to strengthen national and regional capacities for early warning. The Declaration also invited all interested parties including governments, international organizations and corporations, to make contributions to these initiatives, including through the Voluntary Trust Fund.