The Hummingbird Vol.6 No.2

The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals: An opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean. Goals, Targets and Global Indicators

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the 193 Member States of the United Nations at the General Assembly in September 2015, outlines a transformative vision for economic, social and environmental development and will guide the work of the Organization towards this vision for the next 15 years. This new road map presents a historic opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean, since it addresses some of the region’s most urgent priorities, such as reducing inequality in all its dimensions, promoting inclusive economic growth with decent work for all, creating sustainable c…

The Hummingbird Vol.6 No.1

An integrated approach to ICT

The Hummingbird Vol.5 No.12

Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean

On 4 March 2018, the Latin American and Caribbean region made history when it adopted the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, at Escazú, Costa Rica. The Regional Agreement is a ground-breaking legal instrument for environmental protection, but it is also a human rights treaty. Its main beneficiaries are the people of the Latin American and Caribbean region, particularly the most vulnerable groups and communities. It aims to ensure the right of all persons to have access to information in a ti…

The effects of climate change in the coastal areas of Latin America and the Caribbean: evaluation of systems for protecting corals and mangroves in Cuba

Flood risk in coastal areas has increased significantly in recent years. Historically, the response to this risk has been based on conventional solutions, such as building artificial dykes or enlarging or raising the elevation of infrastructure. These are all rigid and environmentally unsustainable solutions that are not readily adapted to changing climatic conditions. However, it has been shown repeatedly that certain ecosystems, such as mangrove forests and coral reefs, help to protect coastal areas from flooding and erosion. Recovering mangroves and coral reefs therefore offers a flexible r…

The Hummingbird Vol.5 No.11

Proposal for the Latin American and Caribbean Urban and Cities Platform

This document, prepared by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in cooperation with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Forum of Ministers and High-Level Authorities on Housing and Urban Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (MINURVI), within the collaborative framework for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in the Latin American and Caribbean region, presents a proposal for the development of the Latin American and Caribbean Urban and Cities Platform as an instrument to support monitoring of urban development in …

Disaster assessment methodology exercise guide

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) pioneered not only disaster assessment but also compilation of the necessary methodology and courses on this methodology for member countries and international institutions. The experience of ECLAC in this area has been presented in three editions of the Handbook for Disaster Assessment, in 1991, 2003 and 2014. The last of these was prepared in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The present publication contains exercises developed for the economic, social and environmental disaster assessment metho…

The Hummingbird Vol.5 No.10

Ensuring environmental access rights in the Caribbean: Analysis of selected case law

Having timely and adequate access to environmental information, fostering the effective engagement of all interested parties in environmental decision-making and safeguarding access to environmental justice are important prerequisites of sustainable development. Seeking to contribute to environmental democracy and sustainable development in the Caribbean, the Caribbean Court of Justice Academy of Law and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean have joined forces to compile the normative foundations and judicial developments that underpin the effective enjoyme…

Investing in the Caribbean Future

The Hummingbird Vol.5 No.9

Economics of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean: a graphic view

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the twentyfirst century given its global causes and consequences and the scale of the coordinated efforts that will be needed to alleviate its negative impacts, adapt to new climate conditions and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The primary aim of this publication is to provide a concise, graphic presentation of the basic assumptions and statistical data relating to the economics of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean. This presentation of a set of stylized facts is intended to serve as a tool for improving the design, instru…

The Hummingbird Vol.5 No.8

Report of the Second meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development

The Hummingbird Vol.5 No.7

Second annual report on regional progress and challenges in relation to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean

The region of Latin America and the Caribbean has been working for two years within the Forum framework to forge a regional approach, shared among the countries and aimed at setting its own course for implementing the 2030 Agenda. This annual report on regional progress and challenges explores the theme of the current cycle of the high-level political forum on sustainable development, “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”, and focuses on the SDGs to be considered in 2018 (Goals 6, 7, 11, 12 and 15), in addition to Goal 17 which is reviewed annually. The report, inter ali…

The Hummingbird Vol.5 No.6