ECLAC Summit analyzes economic crisis in Latin America. (Image: PL)​




​

United Nations, October 26 (RHC)-- The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Barcena, said during the opening of the 38th Session of the organization that the world and Latin America are facing the most severe crisis in recent years in environmental, social and economic aspects, among others.

For his part, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, stated at the beginning of the sessions of the UN entity that the regional body has placed equality and sustainable development at the center of the debate.

During his speech, Guterres accompanied the proposals of the executive secretary Alicia Bárcena to work towards a basic income, to extend terms and financing to small and medium enterprises and to close digital gaps.

He also said that since the beginning of the pandemic he has advocated for an emergency package equivalent to at least 10 percent of the global economy.  "We need collective commitment to allow all countries fiscal space for their response and recovery measures," added the UN leader.

He thanked the President of Costa Rica for the commitment with which they assumed the 38th session and their dedication to the presidency to the principles of human development without leaving anyone behind.

Together with the secretary of the regional organization, Alicia Bárcena, the UN chief conveyed the congratulations and thanks to the Cuban government for its work, while highlighting that the Caribbean island put the urgency in international cooperation and sustainable development in the region.  "Our gratitude to Cuba for the exemplary performance of the management."