Tadzio Bervoets.
PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten environmental leader, Sir Tadzio Bervoets, will join regional and international experts at a Caribbean conference examining climate change, public health, environmental protection and disaster preparedness on October 27 and 28.
The Climate and One Health Conference 2026: One Health, Preparedness and Resilient Systems for the Caribbean will be hosted by the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), in collaboration with Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre in Barbados.
Bervoets will participate in discussions exploring the connections between young people, coral reef ecosystems, environmental protection and Caribbean well-being. His participation will bring a small-island perspective to discussions about the role of healthy marine ecosystems in supporting coastal communities, livelihoods, food security and long-term resilience.
The conference will bring together experts from the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization, the World Bank, Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians, Caribbean universities, governments and civil society organisations.
The programme addresses interconnected challenges facing the region, including rising temperatures, hurricane preparedness, environmental sustainability, coastal and marine ecosystem protection, and public health. The One Health approach recognises the links between human health, animal health and environmental health.
The conference also comes as the Pan American Health Organisation works with Caribbean governments on a new Caribbean Action Plan on Health and Climate Change.
The first day, under the theme Risks and Impacts on Health Systems and Communities, will examine heat-related health risks, the links between climate change and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and disease outbreaks following disasters.
Speakers include Dr. Georgiana Strachan of the University of the West Indies Mona, Dr. C. James Hospedales of EarthMedic and Dr. Angel Rodriguez of PAHO/WHO.
The second day, titled From Evidence to Action, will focus on practical solutions. Harvard’s Dr. Gregory Ciottone will address disaster preparedness, Professor Michael Campbell of the University of the West Indies will discuss climate and mental health, and Senator Kenneth Connell of the NCD Commission will examine the role of health commissions. Thulani C. Matsebula of the World Bank will address financing climate-resilient health systems.
AUC said its participation and the conference aim to strengthen regional partnerships, encourage collaboration across disciplines and advance practical solutions that can benefit St. Maarten and the wider Caribbean.
A pre-conference research workshop is scheduled for October 26. The conference will offer in-person and virtual participation, with continuing medical education credits available. The registration deadline is October 23, 2026.
