Minister of Social and Urban Transformation Hon. Rawdon Turner and National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) Director Sherrod James will travel to Trinidad and Tobago Thursday to attend the Council of Ministers Meeting of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), according to Antigua.news.
The high-level gathering brings together ministers responsible for disaster risk management from across the Caribbean to discuss regional priorities and adopt critical policy decisions aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness, response capabilities, and resilience throughout the region.
As CDEMA's principal policy-making body, the Council of Ministers reviews recommendations submitted by the agency's Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), which comprises directors and heads of national disaster management offices from participating member states.
Earlier this year, the TAC convened in the British Virgin Islands, where members examined emerging challenges facing regional disaster management systems and developed strategic recommendations to improve coordination and resilience. Those recommendations are now set to be reviewed and deliberated upon by attending ministers in Trinidad and Tobago.
Key discussions are expected to centre on enhancing regional cooperation, strengthening emergency response mechanisms, improving disaster risk reduction strategies, and advancing policies that better equip Caribbean nations to prepare for and respond to natural hazards and other emergencies.
Antigua and Barbuda's participation underscores the government's continued commitment to regional solidarity and proactive disaster management, reflecting the view that collaboration is essential to safeguarding lives, protecting livelihoods, and strengthening the resilience of communities and critical infrastructure across the Caribbean.
