The Agencia Boliviana de Información (ABI) has reported that the 8th Meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Forest Fire Experts Group (GEFF-LAC) concluded in Bolivia on Friday.
The event took place in Santa Cruz and brought together national and international representatives to strengthen coordinated environmental protection strategies.
The meeting was organized with support from the European Union and included participants from 13 Latin American countries, along with representatives from international agencies such as FAO, UNEP, and ACTO.
According to ABI, Bolivian Minister of Environment and Water Álvaro Ruiz emphasized the importance of cooperation at all government levels and across sectors.
Ruiz said: “We are working in a coordinated manner. In this open session, we saw representatives from governorates, municipalities, and other sectors. We are grateful to our friends, partners, and allies for protecting the environment.
“We are working in a coordinated manner. In this open session, we saw representatives from governorates, municipalities, and other sectors.
“We are grateful to our friends, partners, and allies for protecting the environment.
“Often, financial resources are insufficient to address these types of disasters.
“Coordination, awareness-raising, and learning can strengthen us to face the challenges we face.”
He added that climate change is having an economic impact and that environmental protection is a shared task.
Ruiz said: “Climate change is generating a climate crisis that affects the economy and the productive sector, which is why environmental protection is a challenge for everyone, beyond the government, governorates, and municipalities; it is a task that everyone must face.”
“Climate change is generating a climate crisis that affects the economy and the productive sector.
“Environmental protection is a challenge for everyone, beyond the government, governorates, and municipalities.
“It is a task that everyone must face.”
ABI stated that the gathering served as a platform to advance the National Action Plan for Forest Fire Prevention and the National Strategy for Integrated Fire Management in Bolivia.
Participants reviewed the progress of working groups focused on forest fire management both nationally and regionally.
The event also provided a space for outlining future joint actions to support fire prevention and response planning.
The meeting included visits to the Quitunuquiña indigenous community and the municipality of Roboré.
ABI noted that these visits were intended to exchange knowledge on fire management practices led by local communities.
Sessions also featured keynote presentations for environmental specialists, local officials, and departmental authorities.
ABI reported that Jaume Segura, ambassador and head of the European Union delegation in Bolivia, expressed the EU’s continued support.
Segura said: “For the entire European team, it’s an honor to be able to accompany you. Fires know no borders, and only if we come together and learn from each other can we fight this phenomenon.
“For the entire European team, it’s an honor to be able to accompany you.
“Fires know no borders. Only if we come together and learn from each other can we fight this phenomenon.”
The Agencia Boliviana de Información (ABI) reported that the 8th GEFF-LAC meeting took place in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
The meeting was attended by experts from 13 Latin American countries.
Representatives from FAO, UNEP, ACTO, and the European Union were also present.
Bolivia’s Minister of Environment and Water Álvaro Ruiz addressed the need for coordination.
Ruiz stated that environmental care is a shared responsibility beyond government levels.
He linked climate change to broader economic and production impacts.
The meeting advanced Bolivia’s National Strategy for Integrated Fire Management.
Participants reviewed the regional working group’s progress on forest fire planning.
Delegates visited Quitunuquiña and Roboré to observe local fire management practices.
Keynotes were given to environmentalists and municipal authorities.
European Union ambassador Jaume Segura affirmed support for international cooperation.
Segura stated that regional collaboration is necessary to address fire threats.
