Combating the effects of climate change creates challenges for infrastructure sector

(Bogota, June 15, 2012) The challenge of building infrastructure systems for the new environmental conditions will be the focus of the discussion that will take place in the Infrastructure for Climate Change seminar, organized by CAF - development bank of Latin America – to be held on July 5 at the Marriott Hotel in Bogota.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and CAF President & CEO Enrique García will open the event in which experts from Asia, United States, Latin America and Europe will share experiences and discuss how to plan, design, build and maintain infrastructure exposed to risks associated with natural phenomena.

Participants will also analyze the concepts of world vanguard and its results, along with lessons learned from cases such as Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Japan.

García said "infrastructure in Latin America has shown its vulnerability to climate change, threatening the productive sectors of the economy and the civil population, which is why we require an infrastructure designed or adapted to the new conditions of the current environment."

"The challenge of combating the effects of climate change – the CAF chief added – means that governments and the private sector must work together proactively to reduce the economic and social impact of the damage, and create opportunities for a specially adapted infrastructure."

The event will be attended by 300 people including representatives of the governments of Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, Panama, Peru and Bolivia, along with members of the academy and sectoral groupings.