Elba Rosa Pérez, Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment.

Havana, February 2  (RHC)-- Cuba advocated giving greater relevance to science, innovation, and implementing more policies to address climate change during a virtual intervention at the 22nd Forum of Environment Ministers of Latin America and the Caribbean, chaired by the Government of Barbados.

The head of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (Citma) of the Caribbean island, Elba Rosa Pérez, stressed that it is necessary to make changes in production and consumption patterns.

The Cuban minister presented at the event the country's results in terms of environmental policy and management.

She explained that in 2020 Cuba achieved the reduction of six million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and planted some two thousand hectares of mangroves for the protection of its coasts.

A beach recovery program was implemented with an investment of more than 10 million pesos and the use of varieties adapted to climate change in more than 48 thousand hectares.

She stressed the relevance of the region's economic crisis, the worst in 120 years, which forces authorities to generate new dynamics for the preservation and legacy of a healthy environment for future generations.

For her part, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, stressed that multilateralism and actions in favor of nature conservation are key elements for a sustainable recovery in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Likewise, the Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica, Andrea Meza, stressed that to achieve a recovery of Covid-19 in the world and prevent future pandemics, it is necessary to "opt for a green economy".

The meeting, which runs until Tuesday, addresses issues such as the transition to a circular economy, the agenda on the closure of open dumps and air pollution in the Americas.