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During the of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Executive Council in June 2024, a side event "Coastal Horizons: Pathways and Actions to Strengthen Resilience to Coastal Hazards" highlighted critical strategies and actions necessary to bolster coastal resilience globally.

Vidar Helgesen, the UNESCO- IOC Executive Secretary, opened the session by emphasizing the urgent need to unify . His address underscored the importance of raising awareness and forging strong partnerships, especially for Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries.

During the event, distinguished speakers highlighted the contributions of the IOC Tsunami Resilience Section’s Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme and its Research, Development, and Implementation Plan.

Key highlights outlined:

• Decade Collaborative Centre for Coastal Resilience: The session presented recent advancements and future directions of this initiative, underscoring its crucial role in enhancing coastal resilience globally. GREAT Project (Global Real-time Early Alarm for Tsunamis): This innovative project was showcased for its goal of reducing false tsunami alarms through advanced technology, which complements traditional detection methods and improves the accuracy of early warnings. 
• IOC EU-funded CoastWAVE Project: Participants explored the societal impacts of this project, particularly its contributions to disaster risk reduction and resilience-building in the North-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. The project has been instrumental in shaping effective risk management and capacity development strategies.
•  Future Capacity-building Initiatives: The session highlighted opportunities for expanding capacity-building programs designed to support coastal resilience, emphasizing the need for continued development in this area.

The discussions also underscored the urgency of addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by coastal hazards, emphasizing collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships integrating local, regional, and global efforts under the umbrella of the Ocean Decade Challenge 6 on Increasing Coastal Resilience and the .

As the event concluded, speakers provided valuable insights on enhancing collaborative efforts, with a particular focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Africa. Bernardo Aliaga, Head of the Tsunami Resilience Section of UNESCO-IOC, highlighted the need for a unified approach through United Nations agencies, suggesting that cohesive global strategies are essential to addressing the challenges faced by coastal communities: "A UN-centric approach can streamline efforts and resources, ensuring that no region is left behind."

Given the global threat of rising sea levels, experts increasingly called for the implementation of regional mechanisms. For example, Srinivas Kumar, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and ODTP RDI Chair, and Jovani Coppini, Director of the OPA Division (Ocean Predictions and Applications) at , suggested engaging directly with communities through the Global Ocean Observing System Regional Alliance and Decade Collaborative Centers. Their collaborative and research-driven approaches provide a solid foundation for developing solutions that protect and enhance the resilience of coastal and marine environments.

In a forward-looking proposal, Denis Chang Seng, Programme Specialist in the Tsunami Resilience Section of UNESCO-IOC, suggested organizing a symposium or forum specifically focusing on Challenge 6: Increase Community Resilience to Ocean Hazards: “This forum would provide a dedicated space for dialogue, innovation, and the sharing of best practices to tackle coastal hazards effectively."

The session concluded with a resounding call to action for sustained and intensified collaborative efforts to safeguard coastal communities worldwide. The insights and proposals presented reinforce the commitment to addressing the challenges posed by coastal hazards and enhancing resilience across vulnerable regions.