The Inter-American Defense Board, in compliance with its 2025 Work Plan and in accordance with OAS mandates, held the "Third Conference on Environmental Protection" on Wednesday, September 17, at the historic Casa del Soldado in Washington, DC.
The conference was held in virtual mode (ZOOM) with the purpose of present relevant information from different perspectives on the contribution of the region's Armed Forces to environmental protection, as well as its projections for the coming years.
The event allowed participants to learn about current challenges, case studies, and lessons learned in this fundamental area of life, highlighting the urgency and importance of joint action to protect the planet.
The willingness, commitment, and active participation of the IADB member countries in the development of this conference are noteworthy, allowing more people to access valuable information generated at these events, in compliance with the mandates assigned to the IADB by the Organization of American States.
In this way, the public was provided with useful and up-to-date information on the Good practices of the Armed Forces and security forces in environmental protection, reaffirming the institutional commitment to the preservation of the environment.
The Major General participated in this event Reinaldo Salgado Beato, Director General of the IADB Secretariat, who welcomed the conference, and Brigadier General Eduardo Villegas Velazquez, Vice President of the IADB Council of Delegates.
Likewise, the presence of the Ambassador as a special guest was counted on. Dr. Monica Palencia Nunez, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the Organization of American States, who in his inaugural address stated:
“Our continent is a privileged region for its abundance of incomparable natural resources, so preserving our environment is fundamental, not only for the health and prosperity of its people, but also for preserving the unique beauty of our region. I applaud the initiative of the Inter-American Defense Board in convening this Third Conference on Environmental Protection. This is an important event to continue the joint regional mission of promoting and strengthening confidence in hemispheric security. This represents a unique opportunity to disseminate knowledge and exchange experiences aimed at expanding good environmental practices on the continent.”
Representatives from several member countries also participated online as speakers, sharing their experiences and best practices in environmental protection:
- Rear Admiral Rogerio da Rocha Carneiro Bastos (Brazil) – PROSUB Project and its environmental contribution.
- Brigadier General Ricardo Roque Salcedo (Colombia) – Environmental Defense and Security Program "Exit".
- Frigate Captain Julio Mindiola Rodríguez (Ecuador) – Prevention of pollution of national aquatic spaces.
- Master's degree Wilder Alejandro Sánchez (Center for Strategic and International Studies) – Naval operations against illegal fishing.
- Captain Daniele Buffa (Italy) – Role of the Carabinieri in environmental protection.
- Colonel José Luis Rodríguez Gonzales (Peru) – Operations against illegal mining.
- Lieutenant of the Navy Alfonso Flores Rojas (Mexico) – Integration of environmental security into the hemispheric agenda.
- Colonel Joel Díaz Salinas (Peru) – Use of remote sensing for environmental protection.
Colonel Joel Díaz Salinas of the Peruvian Air Force finally presented the topic "Possibilities of the Armed Forces for the use of remote sensing in environmental protection", he was the only speaker in person in the delegates' room of the IADB, subsequently closing the "III Conference on Environmental Protection", Brigadier General Eduardo Villegas Velázquez, highlighting the participation of the international speakers, and on behalf of the IADB, thanking all the participants in this seminar.
Finally, it is important to highlight that this important event was coordinated and organized by Captain Juan Carlos Cruz of the Ecuadorian Navy, Head of the Programs Department of the Inter-American Defense Board, and moderated by Colonel José Carlos Díaz Torres of the Peruvian Army, Head of the Civil and Institutional Support Division of the Inter-American Defense Board. It is worth mentioning that the number of registrants was 7,839 people, and in 44 countries, demonstrating that these transcendental events organized by the IADB are increasingly capturing the interest of nations beyond the American Hemisphere.
The full content of the Conference is available on the IADB YouTube page at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0-HF5SXtps&t=208s
