World Conference brings together 98 countries to discuss the issue of the universalization of Social Security

The first day of the First World Conference on the Development of Universal Social Security Systems had as its main theme the struggle in favor of a more just and equal world society. The event, held at the Ulysses Guimarães Convention Center in Brasilia, is bringing together 98 delegations worldwide that will work until Sunday, December 5. The meeting's objective is to stimulate debates about the building of universal social security systems, the challenges of universality and the need to define political agendas and strategies of national and international mobilization around the issue.

At the opening ceremony, the Minister of Health and Chairman of the Conference, José Gomes Temporão, recalled that, due to its continental dimensions, Brazil has even greater challenges to face, and should set an example to the visiting nations and learn from them. "Thanks to the intensification of several social policies during the Lula government, all classes have benefited from the country’s growth. This is reflected in the increase of the population which has access to healthcare today", said Temporão. Speaking on the World AIDS Day, December 1, the minister recalled the successful example of the Brazilian program in this area. "And it is not only in the fight against AIDS that we are giving a good example. Our health system and its principle of multilateralism have helped friendly countries as well. We have visited Mozambique with President Lula to bring to that country the Brazilian technology for the production of generics. With this, people's access to the country's most basic medicines will increase."

Afterwards, the chief minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, Luiz Dulci, stressed the importance of the meeting and its originality. "This conference has an innovative format because it involves both government and civil society and gives them a unique occasion to discuss and exchange experiences", said the Minister, who considers the event already a success.

"The very holding of this conference is a victory along the quest for a more just and equal society", he added.

The opening panel also included the Brazilian Minister of Social Security, Carlos Gabas; the Brazilian Minister of Social Development and Fight against Hunger, Márcia Lopes; the Brazilian Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Paulo Pinto; the representative of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Felix Rigoli; the representative of the World Health Organization, Mihaly Koqny; the representative of the Organization of Ibero-American Social Security in Brazil, Baldur Oscar Schubert; Senator Eduardo Suplicy (PT-SP); the representative of the Brazilian Civil Society, Armando De Negri; the representative of the International Civil Society, Kardi Hemalata Kuppam; and the UNDP representatives.