A new initiative to intensify collaboration and exchange among social security organizations in Portuguese-speaking countries around the world was announced by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) in Brasilia on 24 May.

The letter of intent to establish an ISSA Focal Point for Portuguese-speaking countries was signed during the opening ceremony of the Regional Social Security Forum for the Americas by the ISSA Secretary General, Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, and the President of the National Institute of Social Security of Brazil, Valdir Moysés Simão, in the presence of the Brazilian Minister of Social Insurance, Mr Carlos Eduardo Gabas, and the Minister for Social Development and Hunger Alleviation, Ms Márcia Helena Carvalho Lopes.

Speaking at the ceremony, the ISSA Secretary General emphasized the important potential of the agreement.

“The Portuguese-speaking community of nations represent a major world population group, and social security organizations in these countries have much to share in terms of institutional experience and expertise,” Mr. Konkolewsky said.

“It is our hope that the establishment of a Focal Point, generously hosted in Brazil, will enable new synergies and forms of collaboration among social security administrations, and will thereby reinforce the development and extension of social security.”

The Focal Point, which will be hosted by the National Institute of Social Security, will aim to facilitate the sharing of information and good practices among social security organizations in Portuguese-speaking countries, and will coordinate a programme of activities geared to the specific priorities of these organizations.