Legal advisers from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico and Panama convened in Panama on 26–27 November for the first regional roundtable on the proposed Treaty on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters (PPED).
The meeting brought together government representatives, Red Cross National Societies from Guatemala and Panama, and delegates from the American and Italian Red Cross, with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Participants exchanged views on the legal and humanitarian dimensions of disaster response and identified regional priorities to strengthen the relevance and effectiveness of the PPED Treaty. Discussions highlighted the importance of clear legal facilities for humanitarian actors, shared minimum standards, and appropriate governance mechanisms to enable timely and principled assistance. Gender equality, inclusion, and respect for human dignity were emphasized as cross-cutting considerations.
The roundtable also underscored the value of regional coordination, including the development of common positions to contribute constructively to international negotiations. Participants reaffirmed the auxiliary role of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies and the essential contribution of local actors across all phases of disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
As part of the agenda, participants visited the IFRC Logistics Hub, gaining first-hand insight into IFRC's global supply chain and its role in ensuring rapid, reliable, and cost-effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The roundtable marked an important step toward strengthening regional engagement and advancing legal protection for people affected by disasters.