GET-19 Final Report (in pdf)
Final list of participants (in pdf)
The
3rd Global Forum on Emergency Telecommunications (GET-19) - Innovating together to save lives: using technologies in disaster management, organized by the International Telecommunication Union and hosted by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority of Mauritius (ICTA) took place from 6 to 8 March 2019, in Balaclava, Mauritius.
This event was organized at a time when natural hazards were 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 theme of GET-19 - Innovating together to save lives: using technologies in disaster management - highlighted the role of information and communication technology (ICT) networks and services in disaster risk reduction and management, and saving lives.
Discussions focused on disaster risk reduction strategies, national emergency telecommunication planning and policies, resilient infrastructure, and national coordination. The event highlighted the importance of early-warning and monitoring systems and showcased and demonstrated 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.
The Forum highlighted the needs and opportunities of partnerships and cooperation and addressed challenges and opportunities for ICTs in the humanitarian context. GET-19 discussed how humanitarian organizations can leverage technology to prepare and respond more effectively and to help victims of conflict or humanitarian crises. It helped present existing, and shape new partnerships between the ICT sector, governments and the humanitarian community.
GET-19 brought 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.
