Representatives of governments, institutions and experts participate in the two-day meeting, which was convened by Chile and Colombia in conjunction with the International Organization for Migration.

According to data, in 2023 alone the Americas registered 2.1 million new internal displacements due to natural disasters, ranging from intense droughts and fires to rain, floods and hurricanes.

Alfredo García, from the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA), told Prensa Latina that one of the issues of debate is the social impacts of climate change on the livelihood of the population. “We hope that the issues discussed will also be taken to COP29, which will be held in Baku, and which has as its central axis the financing to face the climate crisis,” he said.

García referred to the Task Life, a State program coordinated by CITMA, and aimed at sustainable development, environmental care and counteracting damages in vulnerable areas. The expert explained that in Cuba there is an action plan where the possible impacts of extreme events and the mitigation of their effects are identified. “The Caribbean region is one of the most vulnerable due to rising sea levels and the passage of hurricanes,” he recalled.

The expert highlighted the importance of the exchange of experiences and knowledge between colleagues in the region, and recalled that Cuba has provided cooperation in disaster risk reduction, especially in the Caribbean.

The conference, which began on Wednesday, is the second after the one held last year in Bogotá to analyze issues related to climate change, displacement and planned relocation of the population.

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