Latin America and the Caribbean and climate change, the cross-cutting nature of environmental policies, and integrated management of ecosystems will be the key issues at the 16th meeting of the region's Environment Ministers Forum, Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 in Santo Domingo. Agreement on the focus areas and lines of joint action adopted during the meet will help the Forum “continue having a catalyzing and coordinating role in environmental policies and sustainable development, both at the regional and international levels,” says Ricardo Sánchez Sosa, regional director of the United Nations Environment Program.

As of Jan. 27, representatives of regional and intergovernmental organizations, and from UN agencies began discussing issues related to trade, climate vulnerabilities and health, among others.