The Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December, 2004 destroyed lives, property and land all around the Indian Ocean. Unprecedented levels of funding, both from national and international sources, were subsequently mobilized to restore order and rebuild the lives and livelihoods of the millions affected. Following the emergency period, priorities moved towards rehabilitation and reconstruction extending across a wide range of sectors. FAO has been deeply involved in supporting the rural sectors through a large number of projects, among which are:
Thanks to the donors of these projects, the agriculture, fisheries and forestry groups of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific joined together to hold this workshop in Bangkok from 27 to 29 September 2006. The aims of the meeting were to increase understanding of coastal area planning and management and of issues related to sectoral integration, and to identify actions to improve coastal area land use planning and management in the Asian tsunami-affected countries. The emergency conditions after the tsunami, the number of actors involved and the roles of planning and integration in conserving coastal environments and defraying future costs were key background themes.
Ninety-four representatives of governments, regional and international organizations and NGOs participated. The workshop centred on presentations provided by resource persons from Asian tsunami-affected countries which highlighted pre- and post-tsunami trends and issues in coastal areas. Three thematic papers were also presented and eleven presentations covering experience and activities in coastal area planning and management were made by NGOs, projects and agencies working in the region.
Emerging from the workshop was the message that coastal area planning and management was hindered by the unexpectedness and magnitude of the tsunami, but that an opportunity continues to exist for “building back better”. The development of long-term coastal management plans which incorporate disaster management contingencies was identified as a key long-term goal and mechanisms to allow increased sectoral integration and effective coordination were highlighted as critical needs.
