December 2010 Plans For Regional Disaster Management Conference Unveiled To Stakeholders Across The Region
Posted On: Nov 12, 2010Friday, November 12, 2010…The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in association with its partners and in collaboration with The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will host the 5th Annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management at the Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica from December 6-10, 2010.
The Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Honourable Bruce Golding who is also Minister with Responsibility for Disaster Preparedness, and Chairman of the Conference of Heads CARICOM, has confirmed his participation to officially open and to address the Conference, the theme of which is “The CDM: Strengthening Partnerships for Resilience”. Dr. Jeremy Collymore, CDEMA’s Executive Director heads the list of other distinguished speakers scheduled to address the conference
In its brief five year existence, the CDM Conference has become the Caribbean region’s premier disaster management event. Delegates from the CARICOM States, from Latin America, Africa, the Pacific, and South America are expected to attend. This means that hundreds of participants will converge on Jamaica in less than a month to discuss regional initiatives and issues that have generated their common interest in weather and geographic phenomena and how to minimize the effects of disasters.
The Conference structure facilitates charting the way forward for the advancement of Comprehensive Disaster Management CDM in the Region, and provides an exciting opportunity for disaster management stakeholders to network and share their unique perspectives.
During a Press Conference today broadcast by ‘live’ webcast from the ODPEM’s Headquarters in Kingston, the conference programme was outlined to local and regional stakeholders by Dr. Barbara Carby, Head of the Disaster Risk Reduction Centre UWI and a member of the Conference Programme Committee. The first day of the conference will be comprised of closed professional development workshops for National Disaster Planners, reviewing the various tools for disaster management, and will also include discussions on Early warning Systems and their integration of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction into National Planning Agendas. Conference
Delegates can expect a varied and exciting programme featuring regional and International presenters who reflect the multi-disciplinary nature of disaster risk management. Segments of the conference will be broadcasted live daily, via webcast to a global audience, and for those regional interests unable to come to Jamaica. The fifth and final day of the Conference will include a Tour, designed in collaboration with Dr. Rafi Ahmad, a local geologist, to expose delegates to unique geological features and attributes of Jamaica, including the Appleton Rum Estate, and the Black River wetlands.
Director General, ODPEM and Conference Co-Chair Ronald Jackson, presented to the gathering the broad hosting plans and encouraged persons to maximize the early bird registration facility, and special rates being offered host country attendees. Promising an exciting and educational experience in Jamaica, Mr. Jackson reported on the efforts being made by local agencies to facilitate all delegates and officials planning to attend the signature forum.
Mr. Jeremy Collymore, Executive Director, CDEMA gave the main address to the gathering and live streaming audience. Noting that CDEMA remains committed to advancing the Region’s agenda in Disaster Risk reduction, Collymore expressed his organization’s enthusiasm in this year’s partnership with the ODPEM, Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility CCRIF, USAID, the Caribbean Development Bank, and the Caribbean Risk Management Initiative.
The 5th Annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management, December 6 to 10 is also sponsored locally by LIME and the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited.
KEY CONTACT INFORMATIONFor Media Queries and Interviews:
Kimberley Weller Information Officer, ODPEM
Tel(876) 906-9674 to 5
Fax (876) 754-3229
Email: kweller@odpem.org
For All Other Conference Queries:
Anna Inniss Conference Coordinator, CDEMA
Tel. (246) 425 0386 Ext. 353
Fax (246) 425 8854
Email : anna.innis@cdema.org
Lisa Ann OGilvieIn – Country Conference Coordinator
Tel (876) 926 9238 | Fax (876) 978 0548