Port-of-Spain, 3 December 2024 (PAHO) – In line with PAHO/WHO’s ongoing thrust to promote air quality and health, a series of meetings were held in Trinidad and Tobago, bringing together key stakeholders from various sectors. These meetings, organized by the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), Ministry of Health, and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), focused on addressing environmental determinants of health, particularly air quality and climate change impacts.
On December 2 2024 a high-level meeting was convened with Mayors, Chairmen of Regional Corporations, and other senior representatives of Regional Corporations and Public Health Inspectors from the Ministry of Health. This meeting aimed to promote health by addressing environmental determinants and discussing municipal strategies for mitigation and adaptation. The event also introduced the Healthy Cities/Healthy Municipalities movement, providing a platform for networking and collaboration.
The meeting was expertly facilitated by senior officers from the EMA, Ministry of Health, PAHO/WHO Trinidad and Tobago country offices, as well as Dr. Daniel Buss, Unit Chief of the Climate Change and Health Unit at PAHO/WHO Headquarters in Washington, DC, along with his team. Their participation in person, contributed to the significance of this pivotal event.
The following day, December 3rd, a workshop was held for technical staff, including representatives from line ministries, local government authorities, civil society organizations and higher education institutions. This capacity-building workshop was designed to advance the response to air pollution health risks in Trinidad and Tobago.
Experts from PAHO/WHO, the EMA, and the Ministry of Health facilitated the workshop, providing informative and interactive sessions. The workshop was built on previous events, such as the symposium on enhancing air quality and health held on October 10th and the AirQ+ tool training workshops conducted online in November 2024.
The meetings fostered collaboration and helped build capacity among local government officials and technical staff. Participants discussed various strategies for mitigating and adapting to the impacts of air pollution and climate change. The events also reinforced the importance of the Healthy Cities/Healthy Municipalities movement in promoting health at the municipal level.
These noteworthy meetings represent a milestone in the continued efforts to improve air quality and public health in Trinidad and Tobago. The collaboration between the EMA, Ministry of Health, and PAHO/WHO continues to be instrumental in advancing these critical initiatives.
