Program

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Conference Theme

For the last four decades, impact assessment has been gradually incorporated into the world as a deciding factor for the development of industrial and infrastructure projects. Likewise, in the last two decades it has been gradually integrated into the financial and business decision-making processes. Despite the penetration impact assessment (in its various forms: EIA, SEA, SIA, HIA and others) has had in almost all sectors of the economy, and even though environmental impact assessment is a legal requirement in so many countries, the environmental factor is still often the factor of less weight in decision making, in contrast with priority given to economic considerations analyzed in isolation. But impact assessment plays a crucial role in responsible development, since it is a tool to assess comprehensively the changes in the environment and communities, health and welfare. Infrastructure and industrial projects and businesses in general (financial, commercial and others) should be conducted with a responsible development approach, beginning at the conceptual stage and finalizing at the end of the project or business life. IAIA11 will be only the second time that IAIA holds its annual meeting in Latin America. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in meetings of several formats in which theoretical and practical aspects of the various instruments of impact assessment (IA) will be addressed. These variations of IA are being used—or should be used—by infrastructure developers, industrialists, policies shapers, planners and public administrators, financial institutions, retailers, agencies of development cooperation and the general public. The sessions will address IA applied to energy and oil sectors, water management and coastal zone management, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, mining, production and consumption, and health and pharmaceutical sectors.

There will also be sessions devoted to the following topics in relation to IA: climate change (mitigation and adaptation), biodiversity, corporate governance and risk management, corporate social responsibility, cultural heritage, public participation, social impact assessment, and environmental practice and governance in Latin America and the Caribbean.

As for impact assessment methodologies, the following issues will be discussed: capacity building, strategic environmental assessment, impact assessment and its influence in decision-making, EIA systems and regulations, fundamentals of IA and other topics. This Conference should contribute to a greater collective knowledge about how, using a responsible approach in planning, design, construction and operation of infrastructure projects and industries of all kinds, as well as in planning, structuring and operation of all type of businesses (including the financial sector), impact assessment can contribute to sustainable development of cities, regions, countries, and the whole world, aspiring to a better future.