The meeting will be held from November 3 to 5 and will focus on risk assessment, proactive investment, and the protection of critical infrastructure. Among the speakers is Japanese-American expert H. Kit Miyamoto, renowned for his work in earthquake engineering and post-disaster recovery
SANTO DOMINGO – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in coordination with the National Office for Seismic Assessment and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (ONESVIE), as well as other national institutions, is holding the regional workshop "Critical Infrastructure Under Pressure: For a More Resilient Caribbean" from November 3 to 5. This event brings together national and international specialists to exchange knowledge, experiences, and proposals aimed at strengthening the region's fundamental structures and ensuring the continuity of essential services in the face of emergencies, natural disasters, and other adverse events.
The meeting addresses key challenges related to risk assessment, reducing infrastructure vulnerability, and proactive investment planning to prevent and mitigate the effects of potential disasters. It also aims to foster cooperation among Caribbean countries and the exchange of best practices to improve their response capacity, protect strategic facilities, and build safer communities.
As part of the agenda, a regional dialogue is being held on anticipatory investment, risk management and protection of basic services, with the purpose of promoting strategies that allow Caribbean nations to strengthen their preparedness against natural threats and other events that may compromise the functioning of their essential facilities.
The initiative is being implemented by UNDP in collaboration with national entities and is financially supported by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) through the IRAF fund. Civil protection agencies from various countries in the region are also participating.
Among the collaborating institutions are ONESVIE, the Civil Defense of Haiti, the Civil Defense of Cuba and the Civil Protection of the Dominican Republic.
International experts will address solutions to strengthen resilience
The academic agenda includes presentations by foreign professionals with extensive experience in risk management, engineering, and recovery of facilities affected by disasters.
As part of these activities, on November 3rd, at 9:30 a.m., the conference "Timely Investment in Critical Infrastructure: Towards More Resilient Public Services" was presented by Alonso Brenes, a geographer and international advisor from Costa Rica, who has more than 20 years of experience in risk management.
Meanwhile, the program will continue on November 5, at 10:15 a.m., with the presentation "From Risk Assessment to Action: Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Ensuring the Continuity of Essential Services," which will be given by Dr. H. Kit Miyamoto, from Japan and the United States.
The specialist is the founder and CEO of Miyamoto International, and is also recognized worldwide for his contributions to seismic engineering and disaster recovery.
In his speech, he will explain the importance of transforming vulnerability assessments into concrete measures that allow for the preservation of strategic buildings and guarantee the uninterrupted operation of essential services.
Participation method and schedule
The sessions will be broadcast live from November 3rd to 5th, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., allowing viewers to follow the presentations and exchange knowledge.
With this initiative, UNDP and ONESVIE, together with the participating organizations, seek to strengthen cooperation among Caribbean countries, foster the exchange of experiences and promote preventive investments that favor the development of safer infrastructures prepared to respond to the challenges of the region.
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