SEPT. 22, 2020

President Piñera highlighted Chile's progress at the UN General Assembly: "This is the result of hard work by many governments from across the political spectrum"

The President also highlighted the importance of defending democracy in Latin America and called for lessons to be learned from the pandemic in order to improve international governance in this area, and for free trade be encouraged as a solution to the global economic crisis. 

The President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, highlighted on Tuesday the progress made by Chile in recent decades to reduce poverty and improve access to education and healthcare, and he welcomed the forthcoming referendum on a constitution as an opportunity to establish a framework of unity, stability and vision for the future.

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, the President stated that since Chile’s return to democracy, and as a result of the agreements reached, poverty has dropped from 60% to less than 10%, meaning that 8 million Chileans — more than half the population — have now left poverty behind. Furthermore, per-capita income has increased fivefold, resulting in a large and diverse middle class. And, among other milestones, educational coverage has also increased, so the number of students in higher education has risen from 230,000 to 1.2 million. 

"These achievements are the result of hard work by many governments from across the political spectrum, who made a commitment to defeating poverty and achieving development, through democracy and peace," said the President in an address that was telematic due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Referring to the events of October 2019, the President said, "This crisis represents an opportunity to reach an agreement that will enable our Constitution to become a framework of unity, stability and vision for the future. It is also an opportunity to become more engaged with our citizens and to make decisive and urgent progress towards becoming a freer, fairer society with greater equality of opportunity.”

The President also called for integration and democracy within Latin America to be strengthened, and welcomed initiatives like the Pacific Alliance — the eighth largest economy in the world — and Prosur. He stressed, however, that there are setbacks "that threaten freedom, human rights, democracy, the rule of law and the quality of life.”

“Democracies are founded on freedom. And freedom demands responsibility. Freedom and responsibility are especially necessary during times of crisis, which tend to become a breeding ground for populism," said President Piñera.

The President described the measures taken in Chile to combat the Coronavirus and reflected on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 global pandemic, with a call for collaborative and multilateral solutions to overcome the crisis and emerge stronger.

“This pandemic does not recognize borders, nationalities or ethnicities. It has demonstrated the need to strengthen international collaboration and governance, and the enormous inter-dependence of the international community," said the President.

The President called for trade wars and protectionism to be abandoned in order to overcome the economic consequences of the pandemic.

“In order to promote free trade and integration, combat protectionism, eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade, harmonize regulations and standards, and prevent and sanction unilateral conduct that goes against the international order, we need to rebuild a multilateral economic order that is respected by all and based on rules," he said.

The President also emphasized Chile’s role in combating climate change, such as protecting its Antarctic territory, developing science and technology for projects such as solar energy and electromobility, setting the goal of becoming a carbon-neutral country by 2050 and creating marine protection areas. 

The President concluded his speech by stating that "Chile is a country that is proud of its history, traditions and identity and is strongly committed to collaboration and international integration.” He added that the country will continue to contribute, together with other nations, "towards making the world a home with greater freedom, peace, prosperity, justice and environmental protection”.