The key challenges in earthquake risk management and what to do about them are:

• Where and what the risks are and how strong is the shaking—update the earthquake zoning of the country
              
• How to manage risk with state-of the art building codes—update the codes to the latest knowledge and include requirements for the strengthening of exiting buildings
             
• How to manage risk with adequate engineering and construction practices—improve the quality of engineering and construction with proper training and licensing and tighten the inspection of construction and the construction materials
               
• How to find the funds to strengthen what needs strengthening—get government or international bank financing
               
• How to strengthen older and more vulnerable structures that were designed to older, outdated and inadequate codes (and the lack of earthquake requirements in some earthquake regions)—start strengthening vulnerable structures using the experience gained by other countries in reducing their risk through earthquake risk management programs.

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Recommended implementation plan for earthquake risk management:

Short term (as soon as possible or 1 year):

1. Initiate at least one narrowly focused earthquake risk reduction program for maximum impact on potential life losses in the public sector—possibly start with schools, hospitals, and power generation
   and distribution systems in a major metropolitan area
2. Assess integration of earthquake risk assessments and risk reduction into infrastructure investments
3. Review and update existing building codes and their enforcement, specifically for earthquakes
4. Conduct a critical review of national earthquake risk reduction policies and laws

Medium term (the next 5 years):

1. Complete one large but narrowly focused earthquake risk reduction program for maximum impact on life losses in the public sector as a demonstration project.
2. Demonstrate that cost-effective strengthening options are available for vulnerable structures and gain public support—schools are easiest
3. Redefine the earthquake hazardous areas
4. Redefine tsunami hazardous areas; improve tsunami warning systems
5. Update the codes
6. Strengthen enforcement of the codes and construction quality inspection
7. Conduct training programs for structural engineers in earthquake risk analysis and risk reduction. Training programs for contractors and the trades would also be very useful
8. Mandate professional registration for structural engineers, particularly in the earthquake areas of each country

Long term (5 to 10 years):

1. Initiate long-term earthquake risk reduction programs to impact all key public sectors
2. Support/initiate long-term earthquake risk reduction programs for the highest risk private structures
3. Support/initiate long-term earthquake risk reduction programs for the highest risk industries and maximum financial impact
4. Pass legislation to require strengthening of private sector structures and infrastructure with or without public financing but with incentives

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