2024-08-23 18:47:34
The meeting, which lasted more than three hours at the Casa de Nariño, was attended by President Gustavo Petro and addressed the need to accelerate the execution of strategic works in key infrastructures such as health, education and transportation.
Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo stressed the importance of the good atmosphere that prevailed during the recent meeting between the National Government and the country’s governors.
“I celebrate the good atmosphere with all the governors, regardless of their political affiliation. It is a very powerful message to Colombians that the National Agreement is possible,” said Cristo, who highlighted the ability to work together despite differences.
“We are making progress in reaching an agreement between the nation, departments and municipalities for the purpose that President Petro has set for himself in these two years, which is to execute, to advance in the execution of strategic works for municipalities, departments and the nation,” said the minister.
In order to implement these initiatives, a working group has been formed that includes the National Planning Department, the Regional Council,and the Ministries of the Interior and Finance. This table will be in charge of designing and prioritizing an action plan in the aforementioned areas, focusing on reducing the country’s territorial and social gaps. “The president has insisted a lot on this being an investment that serves to close the country’s territorial and social gaps,” Cristo added.
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The participants also discussed issues related to security and peace, showing that, despite differences, it is possible to find common ground and move forward for the benefit of the country. “That is what democracy and the National Agreement are about, that we can talk amidst differences,” stressed the minister.
For her part, the regional advisor, Luz María Múnera, highlighted President Petro’s insistence on making a great effort in social investment.especially in projects that allow us to close the existing gaps. “The president continues to be very clear, we are in a crisis that we have not denied, but that crisis will not be paid for by the poor. So he insists that we must make a very large effort in social investment and in social public spending and in any project that allows us to close gaps,” explained Múnera.
The need to direct investment towards key sectors such as agriculture, alternative energy and tertiary roads was also highlighted, in order to promote a more balanced development in all regions of the country.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to “coordinate, prioritize and focus investment” during the remaining two years of the Government, reaffirming the will to work together to face the challenges ahead and ensure equitable progress for all Colombians.
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