On 23 and 24 August, the EU-funded EUROCLIMA Programme organises a workshop of Latin American experts to learn about the Early Warning System (SIATA) of Medellín and the Aburrá Valley in Colombia.

Government officials from Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela will meet to learn about strategies of the city and metropolitan area of Medellín to manage climate information for reducing the risk of extreme events.

The event, organised by the EUROCLIMA Programme with the support of the Administrative Department of Disaster Risk Management of the Municipality of Medellín and the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley, will be attended by representatives of environment ministries and national civil protection institutions of the participating countries.

This initiative forms part of the Programme’s support to EUROCLIMA countries to develop climate finance proposals of adaptation and mitigation measures in a specific sector in order to facilitate access to appropriate funds.

With a focus on the issue of "Risk management and extreme events" and with the support of the Technical Assistance of EUROCLIMA, a group of countries is developing measures that are to be presented to public and private, national and international funds. By enhancing capacity building and integrating risk management and early warning systems into climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, these measures aim at strengthening economic and social development in the region. The event forms part of these efforts.

During two sessions, experts will discuss in detail the Early Warning System SIATA’s methodological and technological base. Its institutional arrangements (government, academic and private sector) and technological innovations will be particularly considered as this ensures the initiative’s sustainability. Based on the experience of Medellín, the exchange will provide countries from the region with the opportunity to explore further benefits of South-South cooperation.