Caribbean States: Declaration of Pétion Ville

This declaration maintains the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) as a body for consultation, concerted action, co-operation while stressing the relevance of its work in the domains of trade, sustainable tourism, transport, disaster risk reduction, and therefore agrees that the best way to tackle this vulnerability is by incorporating comprehensive disaster risk management into all levels of public planning in our countries, including steps for regional and international co-operation.

It recognizes that natural phenomena, which tend to increase with the effects of climate change, result in disasters in the Greater Caribbean Region. Consequently, ACS urges that actions be continued to promote the reduction of disaster risks and adapting to climate change. Agreeing that governments must play a key role in promoting and facilitating the production and utilization of eco-efficient and environmentally friendly products, tools and processes for managing, responding to, and recovering from, disasters.

The Declaration also urges the ACS to conduct activities that will permit the strengthening of coordinated disaster management action and for the benefit of the victims affected by such disasters. As well as acknowledges and supports the close collaboration of the ACS with specialized regional organizations, such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Coordination Centre for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America (CEPREDENAC), the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), among others.