THE EUR-OPA MAJOR HAZARDS AGREEMENT coet/europarisks

1. Council of Europe THEEUR-OPA MAJOR HAZARDS AGREEMENThttp://www.coe.int/europarisks Françoise TONDRETel: +33 388 41 2616E-mail: francoise.tondre@coe.int

2. Resolution 87(2) signed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in March 1987.

3. 25 member States : Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Georgia, Greece, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine. 

4. Observers : Austria Germany Switzerland Italy Japan

5. Participate in the work of the Agreement : The European Commission,  UNESCO,  WHO  OCHA (Office for co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations)  The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

6. O B J E C T I V E S Reinforce and promote co-operation between member States in a multi-disciplinary context  Ensure better prevention, protection and organisation of relief in the event of major natural or technological disasters by calling upon resources and knowledge to ensure efficient and interdependent management of major disasters .

7. PRESIDENCY Presidency : SpainVice-Presidency : Morocco Romania

8. PRIORITIES Political Guidelines and Priorities defined by the Ministers of the Agreement are given to initiatives and programmes regarding knowledge and risk prevention Instructions are given by the Committee of Permanent Correspondents to the Executive Secretariat of the Agreement for implementation

9. MAIN RESULTS Establishment of a platform for concertation and co-operationwhere countries are on an equal footing: - western European countries, - countries from the former Soviet Union : Russian Federation, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova - southern Mediterranean countries : Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon

10. the implementation of a comparative analysis of national legislations in the field of risk management in the Euro-mediterranean region, coordinated by the Belgian Centre in co-operation with the European Centres of : - Kiev (Ukraine) and - Sofia (Bulgaria).

11. Achievements  The setting up of a permanent platform for scientific and technical co-operation Through the Euro-Mediterranean Network of 25 specialised Centres with their functions of research, training and expertise. These structures allow for a multinational and pluridisciplinary approach to the risk issue.

12. List of Centres (1)

13. Liste of centres (2)

14. Liste of Centres (3)

15. Liste of Centres(4)

16. Liste of centres (5)

17. Liste of Centres (6)

18. Achievements Training and awareness-raising activities School level Setting up of a Euro-Mediterranean Network of schools following a series of conferences specialising on the theme of fostering risk prevention awareness among children, organized by the European Centre in Sofia (Bulgaria).

19. Network based on the SESAM Plan : to implement programmes on risk prevention awareness adapted to each school concerned. • A technical secretariat has been established thanks to the help provided by the Province of Salerno to the European University Centre for the Cultural Heritage in Ravello, (Italy) responsible for collecting audiovisual materials adapted to the children’s needs. • The European Centre in Cyprus is working on the use of internet to assist these programmes.

20. Proposal to set up a Euro-Mediterranean network of National Observatories for security in school and higher education establishments.

21. University level Creation of European and Euro-Mediterranean Masters European Master in Disaster Medicine at the European Centre for Disaster Medicine of San Marino, since academic year 2000/2001

22. European Master (DESS) in Risk Science Pluridisciplinary approach at the University of Montpellier (France) and the Ecole des Mines d’Alès, (France) since academic year 2001/2002

23. Constitution of a Euro-Mediterranean network of Universities interested in the organisation of Masters and the project for the setting up of a European or Euro-Mediterranean Doctorate in Risk Science

24. Professional level KOSOVO At the request of the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Prishtina : - Carrying out of a risk analysis in this region (March-April 2000); - Participation in the creation of the Kosovo School of Civil Protection allowing the UCK to be transformed into a civil defence system : the KPC (Kosovo Protection Corps);  Organisation of a six-month course to train the executive staff of this new School ;  Production of a « Handbook » for the training of the teaching staff of the School for Civil Protection.  Nine European Centres from the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement participated in this exercise. CONGO - Training of the staff of the new Civil Protection Structure in Democratic Republic of Congo (Goma), April/June 2003.

25. Information to the public the IRIS PROGRAMME International Risk Information System A test concerning the setting up of “dedicated radio stations” and/or of programme banks is currently under preparation twinning the radio with Internet. Objective: contribute to a better information and awareness of the knowledge and prevention of risks : natural and technological hazards, health hazards, social hazards, etc.

26. These radios would group together four levels of programmes : European International National Regional Local

27. Test is foreseen in some towns in France : Bordeaux, Nîmes, Amiens and the network of community radios grouped together within E.P.R.A. (Echange et Production Radiophoniques - Radiophonic Exchange and Production), as well as the preparation of a pilot project in Casablanca, (Morocco) aiming at raising children’s awareness to risk prevention.

28. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES

29. Scientific and technical activities STRIM Programme (Space Technologies for Risk management)Making risk managers more aware of the use of space techniques to improve risk management in the sphere of telecommunications, space imagery, positioning techniques.

30. EDRIM Programme  (Electronic Discussion Group for Risk Management) Secured Intranet Setting up of an experimental network of hybrid telecommunications (spatial and traditional) between those responsible for risk management in order to facilitate the exchange of information, discussions and co-operation. This programme has been implemented through the RIMS (Risk management Services) project which is supported by the European Commission : DG Society and Information.

31. Four simulations have been carried out with the cooperation of European civil protections : Draguignan : simulation of an accident involving the transport of dangerous products The management of a forest fire between Spainand Portugal The management of a flood in the Meuse Basin The management of an earthquake in Greece.

32. THE EUROPEAN WARNING SYSTEM To foster information and concertation between member states of the Agreement in the assistance provided by a state hit by a disaster. It provides member states in almost real time with technical data concerning the occurrence of an earthquake. The European Warning system may also be used for other types of major disasters.

33. UTILISATION OF EXTREMUM MODEL FOR EARLY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

34. The Council of Europe Devlopment BankA multilateral development bank with a social vocation • The oldest pan-European supranational financial institution • Established in 1956 (the first pan-European supranational financial institution) by 8 member countries of the Council of Europe • 35 member States • All are members of the Council of Europe Among them 14 Central and Eastern European countries since 1994

35. CEB – a development bank with a social vocation • The CEB finances emergency projects and long-term reconstruction of zones affected with disasters, in conformity with eligibility criteria • Since 5 years • Reception centres, • Temporary and permanent social housing, • Infrastructure for health, education and professional training, • Necessary basic infrastructure • The CEB also finances projects aimed at preventing new disasters • Implementation of follow-up and surveillance systems (for example: earthquakes, floods, fire) • Centres for civil protection, purchase of surveillance instruments • Ground conservation and protection (consolidation of river banks, development of water courses, reforestation)

36. International cooperation • A reinforcement of international cooperation is essential for: • The exchange of experience gained and of best practices, • Co-financing, • Implementation of cross-border projects (river basins). • This entails not only operational coordination … • Identification of natural and technological needs and risks, with the support of the scientific community • Support and recommendations during the preparation of national policies, intervention plans, projects • Cross-border coordination, harmonised structures and procedures • … but also the coordination of financial means. • Rapid mobilisation of financial resources • Long term loans at favourable conditions • Use of specialised Trust Funds, grants • Capacity to mobilise synergies (including private sector)