At this Summit, we reiterated the firm commitment of each of our governments to strengthening and achieving the effective functioning of democratic institutions, political pluralism, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and basic freedoms, including the right to development.

With regard to international relations, all of the Ibero-American governments reaffirm their respect for the principles of sovereignty and non-intervention; of the self-determination of nations; of seeking peaceful solutions to conflicts, as opposed to the use or the threat of use of violence; and of the right of all nations to freely develop their own political system, in a climate of peace, stability and justice. We also reaffirm our commitment to contributing to the development of a just and participatory system of international relations, in accordance with the principles of international coexistence consecrated in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other international instruments.

On reaffirming that international coexistence demands respect for the principles of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the legal equality and national sovereignty of all states, we, the countries of Ibero-America, solemnly renew our commitment to these precepts.

As a consequence, we reiterate once again our firm opposition to the unilateral and extraterritorial application of national laws or measures that infringe on international law and attempt to impose upon the laws and ordinances of third countries, in that they violate the principles that should govern international coexistence, weaken multilateralism, and are contrary to the spirit of cooperation and friendship that should prevail among our peoples.

In this context, we place special emphasis on urging the government of the United States of America to put an end to the application of the Helms-Burton Act, in accordance with the resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in this regard.

4. On reaffirming the analysis carried out within the framework of the Porto Summit in relation to globalization and the distinctive characteristics of this stage in history, we recognize the opportunities offered by the globalization process for the development and well-being of our peoples, as well as the considerable challenges it entails. This fact has led the countries of Ibero-America to undertake efforts aimed at achieving the greatest benefits possible under the new conditions of the world economy.

Nevertheless, we continue to face obstacles that hinder our progress in reducing economic and social inequalities. As a result, we deem it necessary, among other measures, to strengthen responsible, appropriate and prudent macroeconomic policies, alongside social policies designed to reduce inequalities, to ensure that the most vulnerable sectors of our societies benefit from the opportunities offered by globalization, and to diminish the gaps that exist between both the developed and developing nations and the wealthiest and poorest sectors of the population.

Our governments are therefore working towards the basic goals of seeking social justice; raising levels of well-being in our societies; strengthening policies for support and social security nets to protect the poorest and most vulnerable sectors; and expanding international cooperation in equitable conditions, as a means of providing support for the least developed countries and regions of Ibero-America.

We have confirmed that while the 1990s were characterized by improved economic performance in comparison with the 1980s, an economic deceleration has been observed worldwide in the past two years, as a result of the international financial crisis. Nevertheless, the application of consistent policies and programs in the monetary and fiscal spheres has allowed for a better and more timely capacity for response in order to attenuate the adverse impacts resulting from imbalances in the international financial system.

The extraordinary expansion of international financial markets and the multiplication of its agents and instruments has brought about a growing interconnection among the different financial markets of each country, principally because of the magnitude and speed of movement of international capital flows. To a large extent, the problem lies in the volatility of international flows of short-term capital, which have become a potential factor of instability for the world’s economies. This situation has not been accompanied by an adequate development of national and international financial institutions, or by the necessary mechanisms for the regulation and supervision of banking.

Massive and sudden outflow of capital and the decrease in the flow of capital towards developing countries, which have brought about the recent financial crises, have been accompanied by a rise in interest rates and consequently an increase in the cost of internal and external credits, which, when added to other factors, have contributed to the deceleration of economic activity worldwide.

These crises in the international financial markets, given their magnitude, recurrence and potential for transmission within a globalized economy, have had severe consequences for the most vulnerable social groups, the weakest and smallest economies, and the countries with serious economic imbalances. They have even infected countries that have adopted or are adopting structural reforms and appropriate fiscal, monetary and currency exchange policies, including some of the Ibero-American countries.

9. We consider it crucial for all governments and international financial organizations to rapidly demonstrate their commitment to advancing towards a more ordered financial system that will promote growth and international financial stability, as well as greater confidence among investors.

10. The downward trend in the prices of basic export products, the persistence of protectionist practices, the drop in global terms of the flow of official development aid, and the financial burden of the foreign debt have created unfavorable conditions for many of the economies of the region and eroded their capacity to react to and recover from international financial imbalances. Under these conditions, some countries have had to adopt programs in response to these imbalances, which have included restrictive financial and fiscal measures that demand enormous efforts on the part of the population and have had serious social implications in some cases.

In accordance with these considerations:

We reaffirm the validity of the Porto Summit Declaration and the declaration on the international financial situation, and we reiterate their current relevance and the urgent need for their implementation. In this regard, we call on the international financial organizations, the United Nations system and the G-8 to take the considerations and proposals contained in these documents into account in their analyses of these phenomena.

We commit ourselves to working with a long-term perspective towards a global, regional and national strategy that will be coherent and effective in the face of current and foreseeable imbalances in the world economy. In addition, we concur that the transparent and democratic functioning of multilateral organizations and institutions and broad participation by all states within them constitute an essential element for the construction of a world order characterized by justice, equality and solidarity, and founded on international law.

Given the seriousness and recurrence of financial crises, the severity of their impact on the world economy, and their negative implications for the capacity of Ibero-American countries to promote and manage development, we reaffirm the commitment endorsed at the Summit of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean to actively participate in the design of a new international financial architecture that will allow our countries to obtain the benefits of the integration of capital markets while reducing its risks. In this context, it is essential that these reforms include greater participation by the developing countries in the decision making processes of financial institutions, in accordance with the growing influence of these countries in the flow of financing, trade and investment and the significant impact that reforms would have on them.

Likewise, we back the United Nations General Assembly’s request that the Secretary General, in close cooperation with all competent entities of the UN system, particularly the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), within the framework of their respective mandates, and in consultation with the Bretton Woods institutions, analyze with a wide-reaching vision and long-term perspective the current tendencies of world financial trends and ways of improving the capacity for early warning, prevention and timely response, in order to confront the emergence and spread of financial crises. Furthermore, this should be done while duly taking into account the problems of development and the need to protect the most vulnerable countries and social groups, through access to financing in favorable conditions.

We recognize the importance of strengthening the transparent and homogeneous exchange of information, as well as support among states and the assistance of international financial organizations to promote the stability and transparency of markets.

We consider the establishment of the euro to be of significant importance, in that it can contribute to the stability of international currency and financial markets, facilitating new opportunities for economic links between the European Union and other countries, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean.

We reiterate our conviction that development constitutes a substantial objective of the multilateral trade system. For this reason, we will continue to promote the strengthening of multilateralism, the encouragement of international solidarity, and special and differentiated trade, in addition to free, non-discriminatory and balanced international trade and the processes of cooperation and integration, which can contribute to reducing the differences in levels of development. We also reiterate our commitment to promoting, at the next Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization, a new round of trade negotiations of a comprehensive nature, which do not exclude any sectors, aimed at reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers to the trade of goods and services, and creating a favorable climate for investment. In this regard, we oppose the imposition of any political, economic, social, labor-related or environmental conditions.

Likewise, we advocate a just and lasting solution for the foreign debt problem affecting our economies. In this regard, we express our support for the countries of the Ibero-American community that have adopted structural adjustment and reform policies while confronting the high payments required to service their debts. For this reason, we back the efforts aimed at accelerating access to the benefits of the Initiative for Highly Indebted Poor Countries, as well as bilateral negotiations geared towards alleviating the debt carried by these countries.

Considering the delicate and complex economic situation facing the Republic of Ecuador, primarily caused by the adverse effects of El Niño, last year, and the recent international financial crises, which have made the servicing of its high foreign debt unsustainable, we express our solidarity and acknowledge the efforts that its government has responsibly undertaken to reorganize the economy and restructure its foreign debt to the international community of creditors, under terms that will allow it to fulfill its external obligations in accordance with its actual ability to make payments, while attending at the same time to the pressing social needs of its population.

In addition, we reaffirm the need to continue stimulating direct foreign investment, within an adequate legal framework of security, as a major component of international financial flows and national development strategies. In this regard, we consider it advisable to initiate studies aimed at evaluating the signing of an agreement on investment promotion and protection within the Ibero-American sphere.

We concur that efforts to raise levels of well-being for our peoples within the framework of growing globalization will be strengthened to the extent that we Ibero-American countries manage to adequately harness the benefits of technological progress and facilitate the training of human resources. For this reason, we consider collaboration and cooperation between our countries and international organizations to be of major importance.

With regard to national resources and the environment, we recognize that certain positive results have been achieved, on both a global and regional level, but we remain profoundly concerned by the continued deterioration of the world environment and the persistence of obstacles that prevent the achievement of sustainable development, including its social and economic dimensions, in fulfillment of Agenda 21. In this sense, we ratify our commitment to policies that favor sustainable development and the removal of obstacles to this process. This entails a crucial need for the integration of policies that will allow us to anticipate their implications for the three dimensions of sustainability. In accordance with these considerations, the developed countries, cooperation agencies and international financial institutions must reinforce this integration of policies and support the movement toward development through the transfer of technology and financial resources.

Globalization has contributed to spreading the cultural diversity of different nations to the rest of the world, although it also represents a challenge for the consolidation and development of an Ibero-American culture. The countries of Ibero-America share a common historical legacy and cultural identity that facilitate concerted action on the part of our countries within the framework of the global economy, which should contribute to expanding access to the advantages of globalization and improving the probability of success in confronting its challenges.

We, Ibero-American states, will continue to assume an active role in the face of the risks entailed by international economic and financial imbalances, based on the design of responsible, effective national policies with a long-term perspective. In this regard, we reiterate the need to reinforce discipline and transparency in the financial and banking sectors; to maintain healthy economic and financial policies; to promote an increase in rates of internal savings; and to pursue structural changes in our economies, in accordance with our own policies and interests.

We reaffirm the central role of our states in the adoption of active policies aimed at promoting human development and equity; preserving the identity and culture of our peoples; placing priority on educational, public health and environmental conservation policies; and correcting inequality and social exclusion wherever they occur.

In a world where the strengthening of multilateralism, cooperation and joint action among the various regional processes is increasingly necessary to confront the current challenges, we reaffirm our will to consolidate the Ibero-American strategy as an instrument for dialog and political consensus among our countries. We also emphasize the need to continue promoting integration in Ibero-America as a means of ensuring a more dynamic and competitive presence in a globalized world and making greater headway towards the solution of complex socioeconomic, technological and environmental problems that require a coordinated approach. At the same time, we highlight the importance of regional and subregional institutions and organizations in confronting the dangers of greater imbalances in the world economy and contributing to its stability.

In the context of the current international financial situation in a globalized economy, and recognizing the need for joint solutions for the world’s principal socioeconomic problems, the community of Ibero-American countries pledges to step up actions of solidarity that have an impact on an international level. At the same time, they pledge to expand the conception and implementation of concrete cooperation programs in the economic and social spheres that contribute to the development of our nations and to confronting the major challenges of the 21^st century.

We, the Heads of State and Government of the countries of Ibero-America, express our satisfaction with the work carried out in fulfillment of the decision adopted at the 8^th Ibero-American Summit to draft and approve the Protocol and Statutes for the creation, structuring and operation of the Ibero-American Cooperation Secretariat, SECIB, which were signed on November 15, 1999, by the Foreign Ministers in the City of Havana, Cuba.

We grant our formal approval for the establishment of the Secretariat, as agreed upon at the Porto Summit, and for its headquarters to be located in Madrid, the capital of Spain. We express our warmest gratitude to the Spanish government for agreeing to serve as the headquarters for the SECIB.

At the same time, we declare our pleasure over the designation of Ambassador Jorge Alberto Lozoya as the Secretary of the Ibero-American Cooperation Secretariat, based on a proposal presented by the government of Mexico and unanimously backed by all the other member states.

We are also grateful for the offer made by La Rábida, which we recognize as a meeting place for the Ibero-American community of nations.

We consider that the work of the Ibero-American Cooperation Secretariat will facilitate consistent follow-up, greater control and better coordination of cooperation among our countries, by strengthening the links among Ibero-American cooperation authorities and fine-tuning the mechanisms for establishing and implementing projects and seeking out the financing they require.

We, the Heads of State and Government, confirm our support for the progressive development of Ibero-American cooperation, as well as its strengthening and diversification, thus granting it the status of one of the most important elements in the work of the Ibero-American Summits. This emphasis will promote the establishment, maintenance and growth of ties among the principal sectors of economic and social development in our countries, thus reinforcing our Ibero-American identity.

This cooperation entails the investment of over 30 million dollars annually in the execution of the following 15 programs and projects:

• Ibero-American Educational Television (TEIB)

• Program for Cooperation in the Development of Doctoral Programs and in the Supervision of Doctoral Theses (MUTIS Scholarship Program)

• Adult Basic Literacy Program

• Scientific and Technological Cooperation Program (CYTED)

• Fund for the Development of the Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (Indigenous Fund)

• Program for Cooperation in the Development of National Systems for Evaluating Educational Quality

• Ibero-American Cooperation Program for the Common Design of Professional Training Curricula (IBERFOP)

• Ibero-American Program for the Upgrading of Educational Administrators (IBERMADE)

• Program for Audiovisual Development to Support the Construction of an Ibero-American Visual Space (IBERMEDIA)

• Ibero-American Diplomatic Archives Network (RADI)

• Ibero-American Center for Strategic Urban Development (CIDEU)

• Ibero-American Archive Development Support Program (ADAI)

• Ibero-American Inter-Institutional Cooperation Program for Small and Medium-Size Business (IBERPYME)

• Regional Action Program for Latin American Youth Development (PRADJAL)

• Ibero-American Foundation for Quality Management (FUNDIBQ)

We note with satisfaction the presentation at this 9^th Summit of the following cooperation

Initiatives:

The creation of a Chair in Ibero-American History; Workshop on Government Efficiency and Integrity: A Strategy to Confront Corruption; Ibero-American Award for Quality in Public Management; Ibero-American Program for Interactive Distance Training for Public Officials; Ibero-American Cooperation in International Patent Searches; Participatory Communication on Irrigation and Drainage; the Right to a Name and Nationality: Civil Registry for Children; Early Childhood Education (infant and preschool); Maternal Mortality; Mobilization and Participatory Monitoring of the Fulfillment of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and Integral Support for the Family as the Primary Nucleus of the Socialization of Human Beings.

We earnestly hope that these initiatives, in accordance with the mechanisms of the Bariloche Agreement, will soon be approved as projects, and put into effect with the contribution of the Ibero-American Cooperation Secretariat.

Culture constitutes a core area for cooperation among our countries, and we are thus pleased with the satisfactory progress of the cultural projects currently underway. These include such activities as the Program for the Association of National Libraries of the Ibero-American Countries (ABINIA); projects aimed at promoting the free circulation of books in the Ibero-American community; and new initiatives like the creation of an Ibero-American Network of Theaters and Concert Halls, cooperation among public libraries, and the protection of royalties and related rights. These initiatives will contribute to the expansion and diversification of a cultural space of our own, thus benefiting our citizens and cultural industries.

We are pleased with the creation of the Ibero-American Civil Defense and Protection Association. We highlight the exemplary work carried out by these entities in ensuring the safety of individuals, their property, and the environment, and urge them to persevere in the promotion of Ibero-American cooperation through the mechanisms established in the Ibero-American Conference.

We offer our recognition of the work carried out by the Ibero-American Foundation for Quality Management, FUNDIBQ, which has resulted in the design of the Ibero-American Model of Excellence in Management, the definition of the bases for the Ibero-American Quality Award, and the design of a Global Training Program for the Management of Change.

We highlight the launching of the IBERO-AMERICAN QUALITY AWARD, which will be presented at the 10^th Summit in Panama in the year 2000.

We welcome the reintroduction of the theme of Childhood and Adolescence onto the Ibero-American agenda, and reiterate our commitment to continue developing national policies aimed at benefiting children and adolescents.

We are pleased with the results of the discussions carried out during the Ministerial Meetings held in the context of this 9^th Ibero-American Summit, and we adopt as our own the conclusions, declarations and decisions of the following sectoral meetings:

• 5^th Ibero-American Meeting of Ministers and Authorities Responsible for Policies on Women, on The Global Economic Crisis and the Human Rights of Women, held in Lisbon, Portugal, May 3 and 4, 1999.

• 5^th Ibero-American Agricultural Ministers Forum on Prospects for Ibero-American Agriculture in the New Millenium, Havana, Cuba, May 15 to 17, 1999.

• Ibero-American Culture Ministers Meeting on Ibero-American Cultural Space in a Globalized World, Havana, Cuba, June 10 to 11, 1999.

• 2^nd Ibero-American Conference of Ministers of Public Administration and State Reform, Havana, Cuba, June 24 and 25, 1999.

• 9^th Ibero-American Educational Conference on Quality in Education: Equity, Development and Integration before the Challenge of Globalization, Havana, Cuba, July 1 and 2, 1999.

• 2^nd Meeting of Ibero-American Ministers of the Economy and Finance on The Impact on Ibero-America of the World Economic Crisis and Strategies for its Confrontation, Havana, Cuba, September 2 and 3, 1999.

• 4^th Meeting of Ibero-American Ministers of Public Works and Transportation on Ibero-America and the Caribbean: Prospects for Transportation and its Infrastructure on the Threshold of the 21^st Century, Havana, Cuba, September 21 and 22, 1999.

• 7^th Scientific Conference on the Ibero-American Program for Science and Technology for Development (CYTED) and the Meeting of Ibero-American Ministers and High Authorities for Science and Technology on Sustainable Development and the Transfer of Technology in a Globalized Economy, Havana, Cuba, September 23 and 24, 1999.

• 8^th Meeting of Latin American and Caribbean Ministers and High Authorities for Housing and Urbanization and the 4^th Ibero-American Forum of Ministers and High Authorities in the Urban Development and Housing Sector on Ibero-America and the Caribbean: Towards Sustainable Development of Human Settlements, Havana, Cuba, October 13 to 15, 1999.

• 1^st Meeting of Ibero-American Health Ministers on The Effects of Globalization on Reforms in the Health Care Sector, Havana, Cuba, October 18 and 19.

We are pleased as well with the organization of various seminars, forums and other initiatives carried out in the context of the 9^th Ibero-American Summit that have contributed to the expansion and strengthening of the ties that unite our peoples. We are referring in particular to:

• Conference of Directors of Defense Studies Centers, Madrid, Spain, October 5 to 8, 1999.

• Ibero-American Communications Forum, Havana, Cuba, November 13, 1999.

• 6^th Ibero-American Journalists Conference, Havana, Cuba, November 13, 1999.

In recognition of the importance of these forums, we recommend that they continue to be held, and also support coordination with other sectoral meetings that take place in the region.

We express our gratitude to His Excellency Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Republic of Cuba, as well as the Cuban people, for the warm hospitality extended to us in Havana. At the same time, we express our gratitude to the Organizing Committee for the 9^th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, and especially the Pro-Tempore Secretariat for its work in the organization of this Summit.

We call on all of the Heads of State and Government of the countries of Ibero-America to attend the 10^th Summit in Panama in the year 2000.