The Minister for Health, Mónica García, attends the official opening of the XVII Ibero-American Conference of Ministers of Health, presided over by Her Majesty the Queen, at the Royal Theatre in Madrid

Madrid has hosted the 17th Ibero-American Conference of Ministers of Health, inaugurated by the Minister for Health, Mónica García, and H.M. Queen Letizia to promote a comprehensive approach to health and to strengthen health systems.

The conference, organised in the framework of the Ibero-American Conference and with the support of the Ibero-American Secretary General, Andrés Allamand, recognised the issue of mental health as a fundamental right and the need to strengthen the training and care of health professionals.

During the meeting, the Ibero-American countries agreed on the importance of promoting strategies oriented towards sovereignty in the local production and equitable access to medicines, in order to guarantee the inclusive development of society.

The importance of strengthening efficient systems for prevention, preparedness and response to health emergencies in a coordinated manner was also addressed. The aim is to provide an agile and efficient response to health crisis situations.

This meeting is part of the preparatory work for the 30th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, to be held in Madrid on 4 and 5 November under the motto "Ibero-America. Together we build our Community. Together we project it into the future and into the world.

Non official translation