They establish collaborative ties between API, IIE and the RAI

At the invitation of the President of the Institute of Engineering of Spain (IIE), Don José Trigueros Rodrigo, the President of the Pan-American Academy of Engineering (API), Don José Domingo Pérez Muñiz, met in Madrid with Don Antonio Colino Martínez, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering of Spain (RAI) and distinguished professionals from both hemispheres.

During the meeting, engineer Pérez Muñiz shared with his peninsular colleagues, the San Juan Declaration of the Pan-American Academy of Engineering, which sets out the Academy's vision on Engineering Education and Development to Mitigate Damage from Natural Disasters, Design and Build Resilient Works, and Mitigate the Impact of Climate Change.

From the Declaration, adopted in Puerto Rico during its Biennial, the President of the API highlighted how Climate Change affects the frequency and magnitude of natural disasters and their consequences; the loss of human life, fauna and flora, the destruction of ecosystems and livelihoods for humanity and the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure. In addition, he highlighted how this impact hangs most intensely on the most vulnerable populations, marginalized communities, small islands and developing countries.

For his part, engineer Trigueros, said that API's coincidences with the IIE should be reflected in an intercontinental collaboration agreement that enables the cooperation of the best available talent to achieve the objectives of the San Juan Declaration and others of common interest. Given the concurrence of the parties, it was agreed to proceed with the drafting of the document that would establish the parameters and conditions of such collaborations.

On the other hand, engineer Colino Martínez spoke about RAI initiatives in which it would be extremely productive to have collaboration with the API, such as the incorporation of academics from Las Americas in the preparation of an updated dictionary of engineering terms. The president of API accepted the request and a meeting was scheduled at the RAI Headquarters, located in the palace of the Marquis of Villafranca, a jewel of the Spanish historical-artistic heritage of the early 18th century.

To support the initiatives of the Pan-American Academy of Engineering, in addition to Pérez Muñiz, four other API academics participated in the meeting, namely: Emilio Colón Beltrán, former president of the World Council of Civil Engineers, and Academician Emeritus of API, North American Anthony Kane, newly appointed Senior Academician of API and distinguished peninsular academics, María Jesús Prieto Laffargue, API, former president of FEMOI and Fernando Rodríguez López, PhD, API, President of the International Association of Engineering and Architecture, both also affiliated with the IIE.

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