THE Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) signed a new framework agreement that marks a significant step in their partnership.
This agreement enables both PAHO and the IDB to broaden their collaboration, which grew considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, fostering a more robust framework for long-term health initiatives in the region.

The expanded partnership will enable a more efficient and impactful response to the diverse health challenges faced by the region. With the new agreement, PAHO will seek to leverage its comparative advantage in delivering technical cooperation, particularly through its Revolving Funds, to enhance health outcomes across Member States.

“We are proud to reaffirm and expand our enduring partnership with the IDB, a collaboration dedicated to improve health across the Americas. Together, we are committed to the sustainable development of our Member States, and to build resilient communities throughout the region,” PAHO’s Director Jarbas Barbosa said.

PAHO and the IDB have a long history of cooperation in areas such as digital transformation, regional production of health technologies, disease elimination, primary healthcare and emergencies. In response to the COVID-19 emergency, approximately US$140 million were mobilised in the past four years to support efforts in countries such as Belize, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua. These funds enabled the implementation of timely technical cooperation activities, and the delivery of life-saving health commodities.

“The IDB’s new institutional strategy underscores the importance of partnerships, resource mobilisation, and collaboration with other multilateral agencies. By systematically harmonising and simplifying our frameworks with UN agencies, we will build stronger synergies that accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Ilan Goldfajn, President of the IDB. (PAHO)