In an effort to strengthen regional cooperation and emergency response capacity, the General Command of the Military Forces, through the Sub–Directorate of the General Staff of Strategic Planning (SEMPE) and in partnership with the Embassy of Canada, launched the International Civil-Military Inter-Institutional Planning Conference (CMIPS).
The opening ceremony, held at the General Rafael Reyes Prieto Superior War College, was presided over by Major General Fabio Leonardo Caro Cancelado, Director of the School, on behalf of the Chief of defense of Colombia. He was accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Charleen Coulbeck, Deputy Defense Attaché of Canada, along with senior officers from 16 sister countries and leaders of civil organizations specializing in disaster management.
During the opening speech, Major General Caro Cancelado highlighted that this academic and practical meeting is a necessary response to the challenges posed by climate change and current humanitarian crises. For the senior officer, coordination conducted by the military Forces and the civilian sector is not only a technical option, but an ethical and strategic imperative.
"This conference represents a valuable opportunity to exchange lessons learned, strengthen common doctrines, consolidate standardized procedures and, above all, strengthen cooperation ties that, in times of crisis, translate into saved lives and protected communities," emphasized the Director of the Superior War College.
The participation of 28 expert instructors from Canada underlines the international relevance of the event. General Caro Cancelado took the event to highlight the fundamental role of the Canadian government in this initiative, noting that its presence reaffirms the shared commitment to human security and stability of the entire region.
Finally, the General expressed his confidence that the results of this work week will transcend the technical issues : "I am convinced that not only knowledge will be strengthened, but in the same way the camaraderie among the nations. That trust is the foundation on which coordinated and effective responses to any eventuality are built."
With the participation of delegations from Argentina, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay, Colombia consolidates as a regional benchmark in interoperability for risk management.
Source: Strategic Communications General Command of the military forces
