Installing a tsunami early warning system in Asia, where they caused so much havoc last month, will be the major focus of discussion at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction to be held at Kobe in Japan Jan 18-22.

"Early warning was always going to be a main subject to be discussed at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction. Now, this subject is all the more relevant following the devastation that occurred on Dec 26 in South Asia," said Salvano Briceño, director of the secretariat for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).

Two extra sessions on early tsunami warning have been scheduled at the meeting.

"It is clear the tsunami could not have been prevented, but its impact could have been reduced if countries in the region and coastal communities were better equipped with an efficient early warning system on tsunamis," said Briceño, based at the UN agency's headquarters in Geneva.

The effectiveness of the system, which could cost about $ 20 million, would depend on the efficiency of communication among the region's countries.

"The warnings have to move quickly through multiple communications channels to reach those at risk and there have to be clear plans for what to do in an emergency.

"This means a lot of public education and preparedness activities. A good system needs to ensure that international, regional and local communities are connected to assure effective communication and quick evacuation of coastal populations," he said.

Briceño noted: "We are not starting from scratch. Risk maps are already available and many countries in the Indian Ocean have early warning systems for other types of natural hazards such as floods and cyclones.

"Existing international warning organisations already detect earthquakes and connect relevant authorities with each other."

A special session will be held at Kobe Jan 20, where high-ranking government officials from affected countries and Japan will be present with Jan Egeland, UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, who will co-chair the event.

"The session will be very important because countries which have been affected by last month's tsunami will be there, together with representatives of donor countries who can contribute to the project, which include Japan, Australia, China, the European community and United States," Briceño said.

"We need to obtain a strong political will and a plan of action if we want to implement an efficient system very quickly."

Another technical session organised by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) will be held Jan 22, bringing together several tsunami experts to see how effectively mechanisms can be installed to develop existing facilities.

"If we can at least set up a new efficient system in the region, people would not have died for nothing," said Briceño.

"Every region in the world needs to rely on a good early warning system to be safe not only in the Indian Ocean region but also in other regions at risk such as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

"We hope the conference will create long-lasting solutions and help raise awareness about the importance of reducing risks of natural hazards."