Remarks by the National Coordinator and Special Envoy to the Americas, V Summit of the Americas, Ambassador Luis Alberto Rodríguez

Abstract

"I am extremely pleased to be part of the proceedings to inaugurate the 27th Pan American Sanitary Conference under the auspices of the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). The work undertaken in the context of these Ministerial Meetings and at institutions such as PAHO is an important part of the Summit of the Americas process. It is through these efforts that political consensus building is strengthened, cooperation is deepened and the momentum for action on key Summit mandates is driven. This Ministerial follows on the heels of the recently concluded CARICOM Summit on Chronic Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs). Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, it was the first meeting of leaders to be held on this issue anywhere in the world. The Summit made clear CARICOM’s commitment, at the highest political level, to changing the health outlook of its population...Distinguished Delegates, in closing I want to say we are optimistic about the future of the Americas and we are committed to making the Fifth Summit a catalyst for positive change. In establishing a new agenda for the Americas, one of the issues we need to address is the capacity of our institutions at both the hemispheric and national levels to drive and support such an agenda. It is only through strong, capable institutions that the Summit process will produce the benefits envisioned by our leaders. I take the opportunity to invite all member states and institutions such as PAHO to work with the Fifth Summit of Americas Secretariat to define the strategic priorities around which we can build consensus for collective action. I also want to emphasize to the Ministers of Health here today, the important role they have in effectively implementing the new Health Agenda for the Americas.: