IIPP taking the lead in Latin America on post-COVID recovery

The coronavirus pandemic is rising sharply across Latin America. From Brazil to Mexico, Chile and Peru, countries are experiencing alarming outbreaks, and experts suspect the peak of the virus is still weeks away.

In response, government officials, academics and policy experts from the region are seeking the advice of IIPP around how to shape a more innovation-led, inclusive and sustainable recovery.

On 10 July, Professor Mariana Mazzucato, IIPP’s Founding Director, delivered the keynote address at the first anniversary celebration of the Grupo de Puebla – a gathering of more than 40 progressive leaders from 14 countries, including the President of Argentina, Alberto Fernández; former President of Colombia, Ernesto Samper; and former President of the Spanish Government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, among others.

Her message to current and former heads of state was clear: Emerging economies cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the 2008 crisis. Now is the time for States to pursue a more ambitious agenda that embraces mission-oriented policymaking; attaches strong conditionalities to industry bailouts; and ensures rewards from the eventual recovery will be shared broadly. 

Following her Grupo de Puebla appearance, Professor Mazzucato appeared at a webinar on constructing a more sustainable recovery in Chile. The session was hosted by Gonzalo Munoz, the country’s High-Level Climate Champion for the 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25) to the United Nations Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC), and included other high-level government officials, economists and academics. 

She then finished the month with an appearance at the Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI) for a roundtable discussion on sustainability.