A roundtable on experiences in preventing the A H1N1 flu, which has killed over 18,000 people worldwide, is part of the 8th Congress on Disasters in Cuba, attended by 350 delegates from 37 countries.

The agenda for the forum, taking place at the capital's Conference Center until Friday, includes experiences in managing health disasters and assessing risk during natural events.

A lecture by Cuban Deputy Public Health Minister Luis Estruch about his country's medical collaboration is also scheduled.

John Holmes, UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs termed as "excellent" Cuba's aid to Haiti following the January 12 earthquake that killed 200,000 people.

The head of the Cuban Civil Defense National Staff, Major General Ramon Espinosa, stated that international cooperation is essential to face the increasing number of disasters worldwide.

Cuba is not exempt from this danger and that is why it is strengthening its preparedness, the official said in opening remarks to the conference, attended by representatives from 24 Latin American countries, with the largest delegation from Venezuela.

Another disaster whose consequences could be incalculable is the Gulf of Mexico oil spill following the explosion of a Deepwater Horizon platform hired by British Petroleum. Espinosa termed it a real environmental, ecological and economic catastrophe.

The Fourth International Firefighters Conference is being held in parallel with the disaster conference, emphasizing the modernization of their crews and technological equipment, as well as environmental protection and human resources training.