Bogotá, June 6, 2025 — Government representatives, international organizations, public and private vaccine producers, academic institutions, and donors participated in the regional workshop Strengthening Value Chains for Vaccine Production in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the goal of consolidating a regional ecosystem for vaccine innovation and production.
The meeting was organized by PAHO with the support of the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative (RVMC), and in coordination with Colombia’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection. It is part of the commitment by PAHO Member States to increase regional capacity for innovation and the production of health technologies.
Over the course of two working days, participants addressed four key thematic areas:
Assessment of regional capacities and gaps
Long-term strategic regional vision
Concrete short- and medium-term actions
Policies, investment, and governance
In her opening remarks, Judit Rius Sanjuan, Director of PAHO’s Department of Innovation, Access to Medicines, and Health Technologies (IMT), emphasized the importance of not only preserving but also strengthening and expanding innovation and production capacities in the region: “The next health emergency must find us better prepared to provide an adequate and timely response. But we must also build innovation and production capacity to improve access to vaccines and other essential technologies, in order to sustainably meet regional public health needs.”
Dr. Gina Tambini, PAHO/WHO Representative in Colombia, highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts: “This gathering brings together political will, technical expertise, and innovation for a common goal—to build a more sovereign Latin America and the Caribbean in health. Health autonomy is achieved through coordinated actions,” she stated.
The event brought together 14 regional producers, representatives from vaccine-producing countries, and regional and international organizations including the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), the Latin American Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (ALIFAR), the Brazilian Association of Pharmaceutical Inputs Industry (ABIQUIFI), as well as Africa CDC and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
The workshop combined thematic panels with group working sessions, facilitating a multisectoral dialogue aimed at identifying recommendations and concrete actions. As an outcome, a document will be produced with recommendations to strengthen and integrate regional value chains, with an emphasis on equitable access, sustainability, and health autonomy in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This meeting reaffirms PAHO’s commitment to strengthening regional health capacities, promoting cooperation among countries and sectors to ensure timely and equitable access to vaccines and other essential health technologies.
This activity has the support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
