South American trade bloc Mercosur (Southern Common Market) should spearhead sustainable development, technological innovation and social inclusion, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said on Wednesday.
Fernandez addressed Mercosur's virtual 57th Presidents' Summit, during which Argentina received the bloc's pro tempore presidency from Uruguay.
Fernandez said he aspired to lead "a different Mercosur, converted into a flagship of sustainable development, technological innovation and above all, of social inclusion."
According to the president, "we do not need less Mercosur, we need more and better Mercosur" and "that implies building an eco-Mercosur."
The bloc has "the immense opportunity to consolidate our common space as a low-carbon and sustainable regional space, taking care of our jungles and native forests, as well as our water reserves," said Fernandez.
In addition, he proposed creating "new value chains linked to lithium, hydrogen and other renewable energies," strengthening "scientific and technological cooperation in biotechnology and new materials," and adapting "to better environmental standards, which are no longer impositions from abroad but demands from our own peoples."
Editor: Galia
