At its 27th session, the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/PTWS-XXVII/3), held in Tahiti, France, from 28 to 31 March 2017, approved the conduct of Exercise Pacific Wave 2018 (PacWave18) from September to November 2018. EXERCISE PURPOSE Exercise Pacific Wave 2018 (PacWave18) intends to support the development of improved tsunami products and procedures, including the Enhanced Products of the Northwest Pacific Tsunami Advisory Center (NWPTAC) of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the South China Sea Tsunami Advisory Centre (SCSTAC) of the China State Oceanic Administration (SOA). The aim of PacWave18 is to test country preparedness arrangements, and operational procedures to respond and recover from a destructive tsunami, especially at the community level. PacWave18 provides a valuable opportunity for Pacific countries to test the new products (where relevant), review their tsunami response procedures, test internal and external communication systems, and engage with communities through public education activities. Regular exercises are important for maintaining staff readiness in case of a real event. This is especially true for tsunamis, which are infrequent, but when they occur, require a rapid response. Every Pacific country is encouraged to participate. EXERCISE OBJECTIVE The overall objectives for Exercise Pacific Wave 2018 are to: Test communications from the PTWS PTWC, NWPTAC, and SCSTAC Tsunami Service Providers to Member States. Test national communication and cooperation within the country. Test regional communication and cooperation between Member States. Test whether the PTWS PTWC, NWPTAC, and/or SCSTAC Tsunami Service Provider products are interpreted by Member States accurately and in a timely manner. Validate the format and content of NWPTAC Enhanced Products (Only applicable to relevant countries). Evaluate the format and content of SCSTAC Enhanced Products (Only applicable to relevant countries). Each country may expand and/or customise its own objectives for the exercise.

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