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Initiative for the Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America

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The Initiative for the Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America ( IIRSA ) is a development plan to link South America 's economies through new transportation , energy , and telecommunications projects.

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66-475: IIRSA investments are expected to integrate highway networks, river ways, hydroelectric dams and telecommunications links throughout the continent—particularly in remote, isolated regions—to allow greater trade and create a South American community of nations. The initiative was launched in late 2000 with the participation of the 12 countries of South America which form the Union of South American Nations . It

132-694: A bridge linking Albina with Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni in French Guiana over the Marowijne River . The section within Suriname of this route is part of the Northern East-West Link . The bridge between French Guiana and Brazil on the Oyapock River and the improvement of the road between Oiapoque and Macapá are also part of this group. It has been suggested that French Guiana, which is not part of

198-1291: A different country. The SHC is supported by the Technical Secretary in charge of the Pro Tempore Presidency (PTP) and two countries of the previous and following PTP, in order to ensure the continuity of works. It is technically supported by the South American Institute for Government in Health ( ISAGS ). Additionally, it is composed of five Technical Groups 1- Health Surveillance and Response; 2- Development of Universal Health Systems; 3- Health Promotion and Action on Social Determinants; 4- Universal Access to Medicines; 5- Human Resources Development and Management) and six Structuring Networks (1- Network of National Institutes of Health (RINS); 2- Network of Health Technical Schools of UNASUR (RETS), 3- Network of National Institutions and Institutes of Cancer (RINC); 4- Network of Public Health Schools of Unasur (RESP); 5- Network of Disasters Risk Management; 6- Network of International Offices and International Cooperation in Health (REDSSUR-ORIS) The South American Institute of Government in Health (ISAGS) of UNASUR

264-492: A meeting of Finance Ministers and representatives of the Central Banks of the twelve countries of the region. Argentine Deputy Economy Minister Roberto Feletti said that the council would study measures to strengthen regional trade in national currencies without the use of dollar. "We have reached an agreement on three axes of work and one of them is to move forward with multilateral payment mechanisms, to sustain trade and protect

330-534: A parliament and, eventually, a single currency. The then Secretary General of the Andean Community Allan Wagner speculated that an advanced union such as the EU should be possible within the next fifteen years. After Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, Uruguay became the ninth nation to ratify the constitutive treaty of the organization on 1 December 2010, thus completing

396-487: A rate of population growth of about 0.6% per year. There were several different ecological regions such as tropical forests , the Atacama Desert and the icy portions of Patagonia . On the other hand, the continent presents regions of high population density, such as the great urban centers. The population is formed by descendants of Europeans (mainly Spaniards , Portuguese and Italians), Africans and indigenous . There

462-572: A summit of the South American presidents in April 2008. The project was extensively discussed throughout 2008. The then Brazilian Defense Minister, Nelson Jobim, said in April 2008 that the council would be formed after the "political" decision of the presidents who participated in the launch of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) on 23 May 2008. On 15 December 2008, at the extraordinary UNASUR summit,

528-526: A year until the regional group became more organized. Chilean Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero stated that the organization "isn't getting anywhere, there is no integration" and that "We can't be throwing this money to an institution that doesn't work." A briefing sent to the Brazilian cabinet stated that the countries share the view that Bolivia's leadership of the block has been ineffective. Paraguayan Foreign Minister stated that his country's objection concerned

594-729: Is a continental intergovernmental union , similar but less integrated to the EU, consisting of 54  African states . The AU was presented on 26 May 2001 in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia and officially founded on 9 July 2002 in Durban , South Africa to replace the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The most important decisions of the AU are made by the Assembly of the African Union , a semi-annual meeting of

660-546: Is a high percentage of mestizos that vary greatly in composition according to each place. There is also a minor population of Asians , especially in Brazil. The two main languages are by far Spanish and Portuguese, followed by French, English and Dutch in smaller numbers. Economically, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia are the wealthiest and most developed nations in the continent. [REDACTED] Buenos Aires [REDACTED] Bogotá Portuguese, Spanish, English and Dutch are

726-500: Is also a consultation and consensus body concerning health, which intends to delve deeply into relevant themes and strengthen public policies aimed at improving the living conditions of the inhabitants of the South American continent. Since health is an essential right to all human beings and all societies, and it is also a vital component for the development of mankind, the Health Council seeks political and social acceptance regarding

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792-841: Is an intergovernmental entity of public character that has as main objective to promote the exchange, the critical reflection, the knowledge management and the generation of innovations in the field of Health policy and governance. The first Union summit was held in Brasilia on 23 May 2008, in which the Constitutive Treaty was signed. Due to the political crisis that Bolivia faced, pro-tempore president Michelle Bachelet convened an emergency summit in Santiago, Chile, on 15 September 2008. The leaders of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Brazil took part in this summit, in addition to President Michelle Bachelet, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela and

858-750: Is being supported by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean , the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the River Plate Basin Financial Development Fund ( FONPLATA ). Together the three institutions form the Technical Coordination Committee (CCT) which provides technical and financial support for IIRSA activities. The project is subdivided in several regions, called hubs. Within

924-710: Is composed of 17 member states. Through the Common Foreign and Security Policy the EU has developed a role in external relations and defence . Permanent diplomatic missions have been established around the world. The EU is represented at the United Nations , the World Trade Organization , the G8 and the G-20 . Intergovernmentalism represents a way for limiting the conferral of powers upon supranational institutions, halting

990-519: Is the construction of a deep water port in northern Guyana and a hydropower plant in Amaila, among others. The anchor project within the third group is the improvement and construction of the Ciudad Guayana - San Martín de Turumbang - Linden - Apoera - Paramaribo road with a connection from Linden to Georgetown. Only the section between San Martín de Turumbang and Linden seems likely to be reconstructed in

1056-598: Is the legal representative of the Secretariat in Quito , Ecuador . Former Ecuadorian president Rodrigo Borja was nominated to this position but resigned a few days before the formation of the USAN in May 2008. On 4 May, Néstor Kirchner of Argentina was appointed as the first Secretary General, despite resistance from Colombia, Uruguay, and Peru. After the death of Néstor Kirchner in 2010, there

1122-694: The Cusco Declaration , a two-page statement of intent announcing the foundation of the South American Community. Panama and Mexico attended the signing ceremony as observers in Brazil. The mechanics of the new entity came out of the First South American Community of Nations Heads of State Summit, which was held in Brasília on 29–30 September 2005. An important operating condition of UNASUR is that no new institutions will be created in

1188-521: The 2004 South American Summit , representatives of twelve South American nations signed the Cuzco Declaration , a two-page letter of intent announcing the establishment of the then-named "South American Community of Nations". Panama and Mexico were present as observers. The leaders announced the intention of modeling the new community in the mold of the European Union , including a unified passport,

1254-995: The Constitutive Treaty of the organization was signed. The foreign ministers of each country met once every six months. They made concrete proposals for action and executive decision. The Permanent Representative Committee of the President of Mercosur and the Director of the Mercosur Department, the Secretary General of the Andean Community , the Secretary General of ALADI and the Permanent Secretaries of any institution for regional cooperation and integration, Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization , among others, also attended these meetings. On 9 December 2005,

1320-511: The Rio Plata basin, as well as destroy the ecosystems that are home to indigenous people. According to the study, the IIRSA would also wipe out some of Earth's richest storehouses of terrestrial and freshwater life and would negatively affect climate change by releasing into the atmosphere the huge quantities of carbon dioxide stored in the biomass of the tropical forest—estimated at twenty times

1386-479: The Schengen Area (which includes 22 EU and 4 non-EU European states) passport controls have been abolished. EU policies favour the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within its boundaries, enact legislation in justice and home affairs, and maintain common policies on trade , agriculture , fisheries and regional development . A monetary union, the eurozone , was established in 1999 and

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1452-794: The South American Union , abbreviated in Spanish as UNASUR and in Portuguese as UNASUL , is an intergovernmental regional organization . It once comprised twelve South American countries; as of 2019, most have withdrawn. It was set up by Hugo Chavez to counteract the influence of the United States in the region. The UNASUR Constitutive Treaty was signed on 23 May 2008, at the Third Summit of Heads of State, held in Brasília , Brazil. According to

1518-668: The Spanish American wars of independence a trend towards the political integration of the newly born republics of Hispanic America became strong in the thinking of several independence leaders, influenced in turn by the Spanish Enlightenment and the French and American revolutions. A notable early exponent of this trend was Francisco de Miranda , who envisioned a federated republic encompassing all of Hispanic America, which he called " Colombia ". The independence war efforts saw

1584-548: The Upper Peru . By the 1820s, the main proponent of a federation of the newly born republics was Simón Bolívar , although this idea was shared by many notable contemporaries, including José de San Martín and Bernardo de Monteagudo , under either republican or constitutional monarchical governments. In 1826, Bolívar summoned a conference to be held in Panama , which was to be known as the "Amphictyonic" Congress of Panama because of

1650-698: The 2nd UNASUR Meeting, was transformed into the Political Commission or Council of Deputies, in accordance with the Decisions of the Political Dialogue. The text prepared by heads of state to form UNASUR was approved at the 3rd UNASUR Meeting in Brasília on 23 May 2008. This meeting was scheduled to take place in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, on 24–28 January 2008, but was postponed because of tensions between Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. A Secretary General

1716-566: The Caribbean and the Bank of the South . He explained that the technicians will review the Latin American Reserve Fund (FLAR), aiming at in order to give greater capacity to intervene to the governments of the bloc in case of speculative attacks against currency or sovereign debt . The creation of a Council of South American Defense was proposed by Brazil and discussed for the first time at

1782-511: The Constitutive Treaty, the Union's headquarters will be located in Quito , Ecuador . On 1 December 2010, Uruguay became the ninth state to ratify the UNASUR treaty, thus giving the union full legality. As the Constitutive Treaty entered into force on 11 March 2011, UNASUR became a legal entity during a meeting of Foreign Ministers in Mitad del Mundo , Ecuador, where they had laid the foundation stone for

1848-819: The EU include the European Commission , the Council of the European Union , the European Council , the Court of Justice of the European Union , the European Central Bank , the Court of Auditors , and the European Parliament . The European Parliament is elected every five years by EU citizens . The EU has developed a single market through a standardised system of laws that apply in all member states. Within

1914-578: The Guianese Shield Hub, 4 groups of projects have been identified. The anchor project within the first group is the rehabilitation of the Caracas - Manaus road. The anchor project within the second group is the improvement of Boa Vista - Bonfim - Lethem - Georgetown road. The construction of the Takutu River Bridge between Guyana and Brazil on this road was a separate project within IIRSA, as

1980-477: The IIRSA project, be included in this respect as an observing partner. According to Conservation International scientist Tim Killeen, who conducted a study on the IIRSA, the current plans could lead to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and have profound and far-reaching consequences. The study shows that cutting and burning of the forests could seriously imperil the multibillion-dollar agriculture industry of

2046-538: The Secretariat Headquarters. In April 2018, six countries—Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru —suspended their membership, and in August of the same year, Colombia announced its withdrawal from the organization. In March 2019, Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro announced his country's intention to withdraw from the organization. On 13 March 2019, Ecuador announced that it would withdraw from

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2112-509: The Secretary General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza . After a six-hour meeting between the leaders in the Palacio de La Moneda, they finally declared their support for President Evo Morales's government and gave "its absolute support to Bolivia." There have been other presidential extraordinary meetings , such as: At its peak of membership, UNASUR had a total population of 410 million inhabitants and

2178-621: The Strategic Reflection Commission on the South American Integration Process was created. It consists of 12 members, whose function is to elaborate proposals that will help in the process of integration among the South American nations. These proposals were to be made at the 2nd UNASUR Meeting (2006). The South American Parliament will be located in Cochabamba , Bolivia. The executive committee, created at

2244-466: The UNASUR governments have been unable to reach consensus on the organization's future leadership. Venezuela, with the support of Bolivia and Suriname, has blocked the nomination of Argentine diplomat José Octavio Bordón . In August 2017, six members of UNASUR—Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru—joined in forming the Lima Group , a coalition of Western Hemisphere nations that repudiates

2310-414: The Union's former designation, the South American Community of Nations , abbreviated as CSN , be changed to South American Union ; nevertheless, many members responded that that proposal had already been rejected to prevent confusion since its acronym of U.S.A. (Spanish: Unión Sudamericana ) would be easily confused for the United States of America. In the press, the phrase "United States of South America"

2376-604: The Venezuela government of Nicolás Maduro as antidemocratic. In February 2018, Maduro was disinvited from the Summit of the Americas hosted by Peru (held in Lima in April 2018). In response, Bolivia's president Evo Morales urged UNASUR to defend Venezuela, stating "UNASUR should call an emergency meeting and enforce the sovereignty of a brotherly people." Morales acceded to the rotating role of president pro tempore of UNASUR on 17 April 2018. On 20 April 2018, six countries—Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru—announced that they would suspend their own membership for

2442-416: The bloc within the next 6 months, denouncing it as an institution created by Hugo Chávez to sideline existing international treaties and referring to it as an accomplice to what they referred to as the dictatorship in Venezuela . However, in 2023 the country announced that it would rejoin UNASUR. On 7 March 2019 Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro announced that Brazil would withdraw from UNASUR and join

2508-511: The concurrence of integrated armies composed by Spanish Americans of diverse regions on both sides of the conflict (v.g. Patriots and Royalists ), and fighting all over the territories of many future nations. For example, the Army of the Andes which was gathered in the United Provinces of the River Plate fought in Chile , Peru and Ecuador , and later integrated with Simón Bolívar's Army (which itself included troops of future Venezuela , Colombia and Ecuador ) to further fight in Peru and

2574-482: The condition of supremacy of someone over someone else violating the principle of a "Union of Equals". However, from a neo-functionalist viewpoint, some scholars argue that despite the appearance of intergovernmental dominance, the EU's supranational institutions have progressively expanded their influence through spillover effects, which gradually limit member states' control and enhance deeper integration. The African Union (AU, or, in its other official languages, UA)

2640-472: The creation of the South American Defense Council was finally approved. This was composed of defense ministers of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela. The Defense Council is responsible for developing joint defense policies, promoting the exchange of personnel among the Armed Forces of each country, conducting joint military exercises, participating in United Nations peace operations, promoting

2706-399: The document "Decisions of the Political Dialogue", which was signed during the 1st South American Energy Meeting, a permanent general cabinet will be created and headquartered in Quito , Ecuador. The organisations of UNASUR are: There were twelve Ministerial Councils of the USAN. The Economic and Financial Council of Unasur was established on 12 August 2011, in Buenos Aires , during

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2772-400: The emergence of common policies. In the current institutional system of the EU, the European Council and the Council play the role of the institutions which have the last word about decisions and policies of the EU, institutionalizing a de facto intergovernmental control over the EU as a whole, with the possibility to give more power to a small group of states. This extreme consequence can create

2838-632: The energy policy of Unasur. It was created by decision of the Heads of State and Government of UNASUR, meeting extraordinarily in the Coast of Sauipe, Bahia , Brazil in December 2008. It was finally constituted on 21 April 2009 in Santiago , Chile. It is a permanent council composed of Ministers from UNASUR member countries. This body was created in order to constitute a space of integration concerning health, incorporating efforts and improvements from other mechanisms of regional integration, such as MERCOSUR , ORAS CONHU and ACTO , to promote common policies and coordinated activities among member countries. It

2904-416: The exchange of analyzes on the world defense scenarios and the integration of industrial bases of military equipment. The South American Council of Health is a UNASUR body established and approved on 16 December 2008, which brings together health ministers of the member states to develop regional programs in the region. Area of public health to be jointly financed by the South American bloc, to coordinate

2970-447: The failure to put a new Secretary General in place, and the need to make the organization less ideological, but did not reflect negatively on Bolivia's leadership. Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Huanacuni called an emergency meeting for May 2018 to attempt to resolve the crisis. On 28 August 2018, Colombian president Iván Duque announced that foreign minister Carlos Holmes had officially notified UNASUR of their intention to leave

3036-453: The first phase, so as not to increase bureaucracy , and the community will use the existing institutions belonging to the previous trade blocs . Between the 15th and 19th centuries, the Spanish and Portuguese colonization brought about the establishment and development of colonial empires in the Americas that integrated politically, economically and culturally vast extensions of the continent each with their respective metropolis. Since

3102-409: The imminent future. The various bridges proposed on this route, including the international crossings on the Cuyuni River (Venezuela-Guyana) and Corentyne River (Guyana-Suriname) are also projects within group 3. The section within Suriname of this route is part of the Southern East-West Link . The anchor project in the fourth group is the improvement of the Georgetown- Albina road, which includes

3168-404: The impact of domestic politics upon governmental preferences. The best-known example of regional integration is the European Union (EU), an economic and political intergovernmental organisation of 27 member states , all in Europe . The EU operates through a system of supranational independent institutions and intergovernmental negotiated decisions by the member states. Institutions of

3234-438: The influence of what countries in the region call a dictatorship in Venezuela. A Chilean summit to organize PROSUL was held on 22 March 2019, and excluded Venezuela. Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Guyana and Suriname were invited to join the new regional bloc. At the Third South American Summit on 8 December 2004, presidents or representatives from 12 South American nations signed

3300-440: The interests of the Spanish American republics. The Congress' conclusions, however, were not ratified by the participants, except for Gran Colombia. Soon after, both Gran Colombia and the United Provinces of Central America fell apart and the whole of Hispanic America was balkanized by competing national governments. By the 1990s, however, Brazil had consolidated as the most powerful country in South America (accounting for half of

3366-475: The issue, proposing health to be seen as an important booster of cooperation and integration of the bloc's nations, intensifying the coordination of such nations and respecting diversity and interculturalism in the region. The Health Council aims to strengthen, by establishing a South American political institution with expertise in sanitary issues, the development of solutions to challenges that transcend national borders, developing values and mutual interests among

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3432-434: The minimum number of ratifications Necessary for the entry into force of the Treaty, on 11 March 2011 With the entry into force of the Treaty, UNASUR became a legal entity during the Summit Ministers of Foreign Affairs, in Mitad del Mundo , Ecuador, where the cornerstone was laid for the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Union. On 28 December 2005, Chilean former foreign minister Ignacio Walker proposed that

3498-407: The neighboring countries, thus facilitating the interaction of the Member States health authorities through the exchange of knowledge and technology in the region. The South American Health Council (SHC) is composed of the Health Ministries of Unasur Member States. In order to achieve the council's goals, the Coordinating Committee – responsible for preparing propositions of Agreements and Resolutions –

3564-416: The newly created PROSUR . Following the 2022 Brazilian general election , newly elected president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signalled his intention to rejoin UNASUR. It rejoined effective 5 May 2023. On 13 March 2019 Ecuadorian president Lenin Moreno announced that Ecuador would withdraw from UNASUR and join the newly created PROSUR . Moreno also asked the bloc to return the headquarters building of

3630-843: The official languages of UNASUR. Spanish is the official language of Bolivia and Venezuela. Dutch is the official language of Suriname; English is the official language of Guyana. Indigenous languages of UNASUR include Wayuunaiki in northwestern Venezuela ( Zulia ) and Guaraní , Quechua and Aymara in Bolivia. At least three South American indigenous languages (Quechua, Aymara, and Guarani) are recognized along with Spanish as national languages. Other languages found in UNASUR include, Hindustani and Javanese in Suriname; Italian in Venezuela. Arabic speakers, often of Lebanese , Syrian , or Arab Palestinian descent, can be found in Arab communities in Venezuela. Intergovernmentalism In international relations , intergovernmentalism treats states (and national governments in particular) as

3696-548: The organization, based in Quito . On 12 April 2019 Argentine president Mauricio Macri announced that Argentina would withdraw from UNASUR and join the newly created PROSUR . However, the country rejoined UNASUR in April 2023. Following the 2023 Argentine general election , new president Javier Milei raised the possibility of Argentina withdrawing again. On 11 March 2020 Uruguayan president Luis Lacalle Pou announced that Uruguay would withdraw from UNASUR. The presidents of each member nation had an annual meeting, which

3762-412: The organization. The president of the country, Lenin Moreno , also asked the bloc to return the headquarters building of the organization, based in Quito . On 10 March 2020, Uruguay officially announced its withdrawal from the organization. Brazil rejoined on 5 May 2023. In January 2019, amid growing concern about Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro , a new group, PROSUL/PROSUR , was advanced to counteract

3828-446: The parallelism with the Hellenic Amphictyonic League . The Congress was attended by Gran Colombia (including present-day Colombia , Venezuela , Panama and Ecuador ), the Federal Republic of Central America (including present-day Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala), the United Mexican States , and Peru. The ostensible intention was to form a defensive league that could prevent foreign expansionism and foster

3894-442: The primary actors in the integration process. Intergovernmentalist approaches claim to be able to explain both periods of radical change in the European Union because of converging governmental preferences and periods of inertia because of diverging national interests. Intergovernmentalism is distinguishable from realism and neorealism because it recognized the significance of institutionalisation in international politics and

3960-454: The regional GDP) and began to promote the notion of a united South America (a new regional framing) where Brasilia would be pivotal. The project did not take hold until the United States' foreign policy priorities turned to other regions in the 2000s. The complete integration between the Andean Community and the Mercosur nations was formalized during the meeting of South American heads of state that took place on 23 May 2008 in Brasília . In

4026-434: The volumes of reserves," Feletti said, noting that trade between countries in the region moves 120 billion dollars annually. "The use of national currencies, excluding the dollar, protects reserves and increases trade because there are lower transaction rates." He also detailed plans of the technical groups focused on the development and strengthening of Development Banks, such as CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and

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4092-476: The world's total annual greenhouse gas emissions. According to Killeen, the IIRSA does not have to be destructive: "A visionary initiative such as IIRSA should be visionary in all of its dimensions, and should incorporate measures to ensure that the region’s renewable natural resources are conserved and its traditional communities strengthened." Union of South American Nations The Union of South American Nations ( USAN ), sometimes also referred to as

4158-404: Was a period of time when the position went unfilled, which eventually ended when María Emma Mejía Vélez was elected in March 2011. After Ernesto Samper completed his term in January 2017, UNASUR members have been unable to come to consensus on a successor. The temporary presidency will be governed by a year and will be rotating among the member countries between each UNASUR meeting. According to

4224-495: Was bandied about as an analogy to the United States to reflect the economic and political power that the union would have on the world stage. The name was finally changed on 16 April 2007 to Union of South American Nations . The new name was jointly agreed by all member states during the first day of meeting at the First South American Energy Summit , held at Isla Margarita , Venezuela. After Colombian Ernesto Samper completed his term as Secretary General in January 2017,

4290-402: Was created. The Presidency of the Health Council is held by the Minister of Health of the country nominated for the Pro Tempore Presidency (PTP) of Unasur. It is in charge of coordinating the activities of all its bodies and managing the Technical Secretary. The Pro Tempore President has a two-year term that may be extended for another two years, being unconditionally succeeded by a president from

4356-424: Was the top political mandate. The first meeting was held in Brasilia on 29 and 30 September 2005. The second meeting was held in Cochabamba , Bolivia, on 8 and 9 December 2006. The third meeting was held in Brasília – this meeting should have taken place in Cartagena (Colombia), but was postponed because of tension between Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. It was at this meeting that UNASUR was formalized and in which

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