Santiago is home as of this Thursday to 22 Heads of Government and State who are taking part in the 17th Ibero-American Summit. According to the agenda to be debated by presidents and first ministers gathered at Espacio Riesco Conference Centre in the outskirts of the capital, is a frank social agenda that touches on issues of improved taxation to better fund the delivery of health, education and pensions that will dominate the debate. Part of the agenda is geared towards stamping out poverty in the region with greater delivery of the social safety net.
The agenda also aims to build confidence in governance issues: build confidence on the people of the region on their government institutions, build trust on elected officials, stamp out corruption and improve delivery of justice.
Another point is the drafting of an immigrant charter that recognizes the fact the immigrant issues are here to stay. This would allow for immigrants to return to their country of origin able to transfer their pension funds, recognize educational levels, stamp out discrimination.
Chile's Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley says this Summit will not end in a shallow statement saying the agreed agenda for the heads of state to discuss is the first step taken for the development of a social agenda that responds to real needs of the people.
The Foreign Minister says the social issues to be discussed was put on the agenda by Chilean President Michelle Bachelet at last year's Europe Latin American Summit.
