The director of the International Tsunami Information Centre is calling for APEC leaders to plan ahead for deadly tidal waves in the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr Laura Kong says 38 countries around the region are involved in a series of mock earthquakes and tsunamis today and tomorrow.
She is based in Hawaii where APEC leaders are also gathering in preparation for annual talks.
She says the number one message she'd like all the leaders to endorse is the need to be prepared for tsunami events.
"We need to be prepared not only as individuals and communities but all the way up through our government agencies and emergency response officials. They have to be able to respond immediately and get people out of harm's way and to do that we need to plan ahead."
The director of the International Tsunami Information Centre Dr Laura Kong
