Vietnamese Ambassador leads ASEAN delegation to survey Chile's tsunami warning and maritime security
WVR - Chile's experience in technology application, data analysis, and unified response process development offers valuable insights for ASEAN in achieving goals related to risk assessment, prevention, response, and post-disaster recovery.
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| The ASEAN delegation poses with DIRSOMAR representatives during the tsunami warning and maritime security survey event in Chile. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Chile) |
On November 26, in the port city of Valparaíso, Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Santiago, Vietnamese Ambassador to Chile Nguyen Viet Cuong, led the ASEAN Ambassadors' delegation to visit and work with two maritime agencies under the Chilean Navy: the Directorate of Maritime Security and Operations (DIRSOMAR) and the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA), under the General Directorate of Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine (DIRECTEMAR). The program focused on surveying the tsunami warning system and solutions to ensure maritime security and safety.
The visit coincided with the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) – a binding cooperation framework in Southeast Asia established after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Enhancing early warning capabilities and disaster resilience remains a common priority for the region.
Speaking at DIRSOMAR, Ambassador Nguyen Viet Cuong emphasized the essential role of maritime security for ASEAN's sustainable development and praised Chile's experience in managing and coordinating maritime activities along its over 6,400 km coastline.
The ASEAN delegation explored the operational model of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Chile (MRCC Chile), which manages search and rescue operations over an area of approximately 26 million km² through a network of 5 main centers and 11 support centers, operating continuously 24/7. DIRSOMAR also oversees the maritime safety system with 650 lighthouses, coast guard functions, and marine pollution response.
At SHOA – an agency with over 150 years of history – the ambassadors were introduced to the national tsunami warning system, including deep-sea observation networks, seismic monitoring, and data processing procedures for early warnings. The coordination between SHOA and DIRECTEMAR's response units demonstrates a real-time information connection model, playing a crucial role in disaster response. SHOA is currently an active member of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.
Chile's experience in technology application, data analysis, and unified response process development offers valuable insights for ASEAN in implementing AADMER's goals on risk assessment, prevention, response, and post-disaster recovery.
The visit contributes to enhancing interactions between ASEAN and Chile, ASEAN's Development Partner since 2019, while opening up new avenues for cooperation in maritime management and disaster risk reduction in the future.
