ADR2027 Chair's WelcomeIt is an honour to welcome you to the 12th annual Action on Disaster Relief (ADR2027) Forum, convened in Panama City at a time when our region faces some of the most complex and demanding challenges in its recent history. Across Latin America and the Caribbean, the frequency and severity of disasters continue to rise, placing extraordinary pressure on national systems, frontline responders, and the communities we serve. These realities demand not only preparedness, but coordinated, operationally credible action that brings together governments, regional organisations, humanitarian agencies, civil society, and the private sector.
 
For more than four decades, I have witnessed firsthand how crises test our institutions, our partnerships, and our ability to work as one. Whether responding to hurricanes, supporting regional deployments, or strengthening security cooperation across RSS member states, the lesson has always been the same: no single actor can manage these challenges alone. Effective disaster management depends on shared intelligence, interoperable systems, trained personnel, resilient infrastructure, and the ability to mobilise resources quickly and responsibly.
 
This year’s Forum reflects those realities. Over the two days in March, we will explore anticipatory action, resilient infrastructure, humanitarian logistics, community led preparedness, public–private partnerships, and the role of technology and innovation in strengthening operational readiness across the hemisphere.
 
ADR2027 is structured to support this collective effort through a practical, operationally focused format. Participants will engage in moderated plenary discussions, under the Chatham House Rule, workshops, networking and social functions, exhibition, and structured public–private matchmaking meetings - ensuring open dialogue, shared learning, and direct engagement between governments, regional organisations, humanitarian actors, civil society, and private sector partners.