MERCOSUR

On December 22, the ministers of health of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay signed a declaration to facilitate the safe transit and strengthen the regional production of strategic inputs. The aim of the declaration is to have a solid position as a bloc and to advance in a joint working group to develop strategies to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and strengthen capacities for the regional production of strategic inputs.

In the declaration, the authorities expressed their willingness to implement complementary and consensual public health measures that are specific, proportionate, transparent and temporary and that favor the movement of goods and people for the economic and tourism recovery of the region. At the same time, among the objectives of the declaration is to continue working to strengthen regional capacities for the production of safe and effective medicines, vaccines and medical devices, with the aim of reducing inequity in timely access and guaranteeing better cost and prioritization conditions for the countries of the region.

Finally, the authorities proposed to remain committed to the mechanisms of solidarity and reciprocity with the States of the region and the world, in the recognition of extensive immunization against COVID-19 as a global public good, understanding that the world will not be able to overcome this pandemic until transmission has been controlled in each and every country.