Frigate Bay, St. Kitts & Nevis – This week, The Honourable Leon Lundy, Minister of State with responsibility for Disaster Management, and a delegation from the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM Authority), represent the Bahamas at the 13th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM13), the region’s pre-eminent disaster mitigation, preparation, and response summit. Held from December 2-6, 2024, in St. Kitts and Nevis, the conference is themed “Road to Resilience – Checkpoint 2024: Levelling Up for a Dynamic Future.”
CDM13 brings together regional and international experts, policymakers, and practitioners to address innovative strategies for disaster management in the region. The event features keynote addresses, workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions to tackle evolving disaster risk challenges.
During the opening ceremony, Managing Director of the DRM Authority, Aarone Sargent, emphasized the conference’s collaborative spirit in his vote of thanks. “Our willingness to collaborate, share knowledge, and learn from one another is what makes this conference so vital. Over the next few days, we will no doubt have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and forge stronger partnerships that will contribute to the sustainable development and safety of our Caribbean communities.”
He continued, “The challenges we face are complex, but through cooperation, innovation, and solidarity, I am confident that we can continue to build a more resilient Caribbean for future generations.”
Minister Lundy echoed these sentiments, stating, “As the Caribbean’s newest disaster management agency, the DRM Authority views CDM13 as an opportunity to deepen collaborative ties with regional and international partners. First and foremost, we want to foster camaraderie with our Caribbean brothers and sisters. In times of disaster, CDEMA and the Caribbean Community are a crucial line of support.”
He elaborated, “This conference serves as a platform for us to learn from our peers, identify and fill gaps in our own disaster management, streamline resources, and explore potential partnerships for technology-sharing and non-governmental funding avenues.”
Minister Lundy is slated to join a panel for the “Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems Regional Multi-Stakeholder Forum” on Thursday, December 4th, where he will be exploring innovations in early warning systems, a key area for advancing disaster preparedness in the region.
