Honolulu, Hawaii – In a landmark visit, His Excellency Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef became the first Maldivian Vice President to visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Inouye Regional Center (IRC) in Honolulu, Hawaii. The state-of-the-art research facility is located on the historic landmark site of Moku‘ume‘ume (Ford Island) in the State of Hawaii.
During the visit, the Vice President received detailed briefings on the operations of the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC) and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC). He toured the facilities and was introduced to the critical work carried out by both centers in the areas of tsunami monitoring, early warning, and global disaster preparedness.
Vice President Latheef praised the centers for their invaluable contributions to global safety and humanitarian service. He also extended his heartfelt gratitude for the continued support and assistance provided to the Maldives, particularly in strengthening national capabilities for disaster risk management.
The PTWC and ITIC played a pivotal role in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, helping the Maldives build infrastructure, enhance capacity, and raise public awareness about tsunami preparedness. Their support also extended to the establishment of regional warning centers across the Asia-Pacific region.
The ITIC continues to foster relationships with scientific, academic, and civil defense organizations to improve tsunami mitigation efforts. Meanwhile, the PTWC, operated by the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), serves as the primary international forecast center under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.