has a contact with the government central that that cut phone is the The worst thing that can happen to the citizen. This contact that you have, this direct line to the president of the Republic, with the government, with the First lady, essential or else no We move forward, we cannot move forward. [clears throat] Absolutely fundamental. And I repeat this, The work must be done together to that there is a real impact and significant. And here I want to highlight something. I am convinced that the first The lady showed the way in the center of the city, in the historic center with the Palma Brilla project. He showed us that It was possible, something everyone believed it was. impossible and that we saw in great world capitals. She made it happen Palm. From there on, and in that I remember when I was a councilman. I was very, very fast; it was my rise. at the town hall, I think I went still a councilor. had come and well, I had asked my wife to I accompanied him and told him, "This is what it is What to do, show people that "Maybe." From then on, I became a fanatic Then I assumed the mayoralty because life's circumstances and all our predisposition, everything we could to do from that first day, because She really convinced us. that moment with that project that everyone We believed, I repeat, that it couldn't be done, but which is a truth today. Palma shines, which It returned to the center, it shines, and it kept growing. to other arteries of others. In addition. Now we are in the second and third phases. Well, First it started with Palma, then President Franco, Benjamin Constan, the next Star and also Paraguayan Independent. Fantastic. In other words, a center freed from that pollution and and and when it is illuminated also the issue of security, because support for the Ministry of the Interior, of The National Police is essential that the citizen feels safe. There are several ministries that We're involved, right? uh in This work with the private sector, such as Antonella said, with civil society. That's why this program is so successful. that is progressing has the recognition because people have the possibility of participating, of giving their your contribution, your suggestion, your opinions and His experience strengthens the team work enriches all the ideas and all the knowledge that goes generating. Well, this same place where We are and other places, the port is is recovering and is getting better fantastic. What this is going to do is... once finished. Yes. Well, one of the procedures too. of this government and the first lady was transform the port offices into The Cultural Center of Asunción, right? That he is now super-damned, has an agenda full of events every Saturday. HE It showed that people needed or I was looking for a public space in the center, TRUE? And that it turns out to be effective and it works and If people are given those spaces, they will... He resorts and takes advantage, right? mayor? This is growing. We are seeing that there are works all over the Tell us about this, what is the projection? for the works when we will be Now fully enjoying the port here with all the new things. And here it's being said that it's going to be the Puerto Madero in Asunción. That's how it is already known how beautiful it will be to be, but not only here, also to Here on the waterfront, in front of the park. A gentleman who is renewing himself through from a World Bank loan, from World Bank status to the State Paraguayan, There's also Musi, the museum of Largest Interactive Science Latin America that is being built at the moment. I repeat this, in the For the next 3 years, Asunción will be transform like never before in their history. The city center is going to transform like never before in their history. But I'm going to say this again. because it's important to say things as they are and to be fair. The First Lady He showed us the way with a shining palm making Asunción look like one of the major world capitals. In that fragment, in that fragment of Palma, when one sees the aerial photograph of the celebrations, from the Paraguay match, When we beat Germany, tell me that no, let's not feel that way, we don't feel that way proud to see that it seemed that we were not in Asunción at that time place, to see the celebration of when We were cheering for the red and white, eh, full of families, full of people, full of safety, seeing cheerful, happy people, happy and safe walking through the center of the city. I think this is starting now. I got emotional here, huh. Okay, we're here, the presenter is here It is progressing. We want to thank you, Minister, thank you as always for the space. There's a lot to talk about. So we thank you for this. Benjamin, Please, guys. This is César, my dear. Thank you very much, Mayor. Thank you so much as always for the time for us. We continued chatting everything that is in Asunción. Hey, a pleasure. We continued chatting and we continued working. Thank you very much, Mayor. Well, Minister, we'll stay a little longer because the show is about to start, the The event is about to start. You It's time to close the event, so the We had it at the start. We tell the people who stay watching the broadcast because we are going to broadcast everything event, all morning and afternoon. There is many panels that are developing very interesting with international visit included. In addition. Yes, we would like to people who registered. Well, First we had a great, uh, a great number of people registered eh per about the capacity that the port, but we also enabled it for the The afternoon panels, right? If a The person was unable to register because they already The slots were already closed, yes. We encourage them to come in the afternoon because we'll have activity until... 4:30 in the afternoon. The panels are superinsants. We have seven international panelists. Each panel has national panelists and international. A very interaction interesting. There's everything. There's everything, but there's a panel divided, well, a large divided panel in two with international actors, or We call it the international panel. the people from the World Bank of the B of We have Ono as vice-minister of Ecuador's cooperation, which was, let's say, the one responsible for what was the reconversion of the historic center of Quito, which we were able to visit with the first lady when we went on the visit official in Quito. We have representatives from ProLima. Yes. Uh, since Lima is also recognized for having made a great reconversion, revitalization work at its center. Yes. Um, to get to know their good points practices. Hey, Ono Habitat, by Of course, a great ally, let's say. think about urban development and the housing in the new cities. There is also a Colombian exhibitor, Velázquez, the architect saw tamb también. Thus we have likewise experiences of different experiences from Panama also from several countries of the Latin American region to find out what their... their good practices, their experiences and that we can incorporate them on this day and Well, in our plan to think Asunción 500 years And of course, this work too. As a group, we need to keep rounding things out. They say this because it's already starting. You Thank you for your time and we invite you, Please invite the audience, the Those who couldn't come, may continue the live broadcast, live on favor. Likewise, thank you very much for... join us. Paraguay TV always a great ally. All media outlets broadcast via radio. National too because the one who can He's listening to the radio, so It reaches the entire country, to the whole country and also to the world because we also articulate with chancellery so that they can... streaming in embassies. We are giving the signal also. So we got to the whole world. Excellent. So important that our representations also around the world so they can know what we are doing this, replicating this, that the people can continue accompanying This, getting involved, there will be others events, other opportunities. Unfortunately, well, there is a space limited, this, But that's what technology is for, they are the state media, so that it reaches everyone. It will be a day superimposed, dynamic, with several Topics, for example, of culture. of corenda, from eh security, that they ask us for a lot, which is so important, right? Uh, those in the private sector, right? Of real estate agents, in short, everything that It includes the historic center, right? The ANDE with the underground cabling, in Finally, very interesting for you to know. Thanks a lot. I like What this big decision is today, a a very important decision that has to see with uh the work we are carrying out the State's media in this very important joint transmission, a transmission that has to do with, Do you see? Full room. This has that has to do with the very important activity. It's about to start. It's about to start. No, they say it's starting up. Well, briefly, Minister, the Minister of the woman with us here too. Thanks a lot. We do everything here. this way. Well, our mother of cities receive those 500 years of the best way. We are preparing a collaborative work of all institutions and you too protagonists of this moment. Minister, how are you doing? Good morning to the media of the state. Good morning. It was truly a pleasure. to be here today. This international forum, I think he's going to contribute and he's going to enrich this great work that he The first lady leads the office. Mrs. Leticia Ocampos has a fondness so special to the historic center and decided that one of its priority areas It was about working on it. So today I think we're going to share many experiences from other countries. Let's learn about the projects that the The Paraguayan government is developing, uh, urban resilience, uh the projection of the historic center, others projects that are also about the city, right? So I'm very moved. We as a Ministry of Women also contribute to the projects to talk about cities safe, well-lit cities, cities friendly to women, boys, Families, recover places, right? I think it's going to be a very busy day enriching for everyone. It is Working on that, a joint effort. The president of the ANDE, the Minister of Urban Planning of housing, the mayor, was the Minister Antonela Albertini also speaking of the articulation that makes the The First Lady's office, as they told us, "It was essential to be able to sit in a table and teamwork. If it wasn't All of this is impossible. Doing, Minister, aren't you? Likewise, I believe that the great strength That's the agglutination that she she gathered around her table, where she It is not the effector of policies, but Yes, it brings everyone together to work on it. So It seems we've already begun. We've already started. They are asking that enter. Please, I ask you, Minister invite the people who can't come Because space is limited, let it continue our transmission which is national and international. We're going to take all this forum to the whole country and the world. Okay, please keep following this forum Asunción 500 years because there is much to sharing and Assumption Mother of the City She's ready to do it. Fantastic, Mirra. Thanks a lot. With us is the Minister for Women. Please show me this room. Fantastic. The room was packed, huh? Full room. Is This is fantastic what we're seeing and that allow us to have in a little while plus the uninterrupted transmission of this great day. Let me tell you, let me I anticipate that we're going to have very panels interesting to be developed since they Enable this very early. We are awaiting the arrival of the president of the Republic, of the first lady. This It will happen in a little while. Following the schedule. It is scheduled for 9. Opening ceremony here with His Excellency Santiago Peña, president of the Republic and Her Excellency Leticia Campos, the nation's first lady. Next, we're going to begin with the presentation of the intervention manual of the Historic Center of Asunción. My Dear Francisco Paredes, come one a little while here, my dear Francisco, that It's in the coverage as always. presidential, following everything that happens at the moment. you had Just hours ago in Concepción And now we're here in the port of Asunción for the state media colleagues for yesterday's marathon session. This obviously represents Regarding what needs to be added and with what is mentioned in each coverage, every weekend, because the For example, the fair to palm trees is not on the horizon. a matter only so that the people are going to disperse, if they are not all the institutions involved. Yeah, We said it because we transmitted it and it We're live and the people who follow us state media's big task knows which began as Palma Brilla, Palma Shine, The center has been expanded and is shining, Mr. President Franco, now Benjamín Costán, everything is going expanding to reach a center with greater police presence, with the lynxes, with the lighting, recovering spaces for citizens and with This joint work, when it is achieved reduce property tax in Asunción, the return operation the return home, returning to this center historic, to the mother of cities and repopulate the center with the sector private, because we're also going to have developers present here for to talk about everything that Asunción 2 is. Center, that other project that has to do with the apartments, the houses, and the possibility of returning to live in this a center that is so beautiful, respecting the historical, they told us the amount of historic buildings that we have in the center that needs to be recovered. So Today we're going to have a lot to talk about. and show Francisco Gui. That's what it is I already know the count with the authorities, with the president of the National Assembly on the topic lightning, uh with the presence also of del Minister of Urban Planning, Housing and Habitat with the subject matter, the mayor of Asunción and several others authorities who work. I have the program here, it's extensive program, Francisco, and there is a presentation of the manual of intervention of the center, because the historic center, being intervened because they are buildings Historically, there are a number of requirements that must be fulfilled regarding care and will the engineer will be in charge of this Claudia Centurión, who is the minister of Public Works and Communications, and Ursula Blote, who is a representative of Bancound. global, World Bank, fundamental in this because all this investment that is going to be made and this projection that is made because it is turning 489 years ago. 89 years old. Look, we're almost a decade away. to say 500 years. 500 years. The foundation of the Assumption of the Mother of Cities. 1537. That's where it all starts. In a little while We say that once it starts... We, the official signal, are going to sharing everything, the arrival of president and first lady. I believe that you, Francisco, can go now to the Yours, uh, they're going to start arriving, so... I release him, I release him, please. In contact. Excuse me, sir. Dear Francisco. Go where It corresponds. Thank you, director. By Please, we have a full room. They're already asking Take your seats, as that great one said song. by Joaquín Sabina, a man who He also toured and learned about part of the night and the waves of this capital so Asunción is important, Asunción of the Paraguay, capital of my heart. We are live this morning. We tell those who are hooking the transmission. It's 9:01 a.m. Following the live broadcast, in live via Paraguay TV, from Radio Nacional El Paraguay 920 AM. A A huge hello to the beloved Radio National of Paraguay 95.1 FM. A hug enormous all the way south, all the way to the beloved Radio ZP12, Carlos Antonio López de Pilar, the 700 AM there in the south, voice powerful there from the Niñú. Also to hug to the north. See you next time! tip of our map with the beloved Radio Nacional San Pedro, 105.9 FM. A huge hug to all of you! newsrooms, formidable teams of the IP agency, the news agency Paraguayan with us and of course digital media working on this joint transmission through the radio signal, TV signal and streaming signal. A service that We serve the entire country and the world. The arrival of the authorities. Let's see if Francisco has some news. It's coming There's the president. The president is entering. Republic accompanied by the first lady. Good morning. Good morning. How are you, ma'am? How are you doing? Good morning. Applause the presidential election is coming We're now going to the official broadcast. Asunción Forum 500 years and the nation's first lady and honorary president of the commission Asunción 500 years, the architect Leticio Fields. We also note the presence of the chief of the President's Cabinet, Mr. Javier Jiménez, Ministers of Power Executive, President of the Honorable Chamber of Representatives, Mr. Raúl la Torre, mayor of the city of Asunción, Master Luis Vedo, representatives of countries accredited to the government of The Republic of Paraguay. Jorge Surru, representative in Paraguay and manager CAF's southern cone regional office. Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the interim representative of World Bank, Ms. Ursula Blote, representative of the Inter-American Development Bank Development, Mr. Alonso Chaverry Suárez, the regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean UN-Habitat, Elkin Velázquez. We appreciate the presence of the authorities who are with us, national and municipal authorities that We are honored by your presence at this tomorrow. Guys, please, You may take a seat, please. Welcome to the Asunción forum! 500 years, a meeting place and dialogue that brings together the public sector today, to international organizations, to the private sector, to academia, and to civil society to think together about the present and the future of our capital. We are honored to have your presence Your Excellency Mr. Santiago Peña Palacios, President of the Republic of Paraguay, and Mrs. Leticio Campos, first lady of the nation and president honorary of the Asunción 500 Commission years. We especially greet the national and municipal authorities, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of organizations international and cooperation, international guests, representatives of the private sector, the academia and civil society and everyone those who are with us today. In 2037 Asunción will comply. 500 years since his foundation. A historic date that invites us to celebrate our past and fundamentally to look ahead. the next few years represent a chance to recover and inhabit again our historic center, to enhance their heritage, to improve its public spaces, attract new investments and build a more dynamic, safe city, sustainable and future-proof. That great challenge gave rise to the Asunción 500 Years Commission, chaired honorarily by the First Lady of the nation as a space of joint among the responsible institutions to drive this transformation. And that is precisely the vision that we It meets today during this day. National specialists and international, authorities, academics, businesspeople and representatives civil society will share experiences, projects and proposals to improve our city. We have a fundamental question today today. What assumption do we want to build? approaching its 500th anniversary? And before To begin that conversation, we invite you to look at our city, to recognize what that we were, what we are, and especially all that we can still achieve to be. To do this, we invite you to direct your gaze to the screen and share the following together audiovisual. [music] Assumption is the first light [music] that It is born on the river. It's the people who He gets up before dawn to put on the city marches. [music] It is that moment when the silence still resists, just before [music] Let the movement begin. Asunción is the green that is making its way between the streets, the lapacho trees that [Music] announces spring, the heat that challenges us and the tereré that always find a round. Assumption [music] It is the passion that lives in its streets, where every match feels like a final. It's the conversations [music] that never They end up in chipa, in soup, in the boriborí, [music] in the flavors that tell who are. Asunción is a city that honors its history [music] while building his future, where the Heritage is not a memory, but the [music] starting point. It is a city that is reclaiming its spaces, that [music] reignites their streets and transforms places so that become everyone's again. [music] Assumption is those who create, those who undertake, those who teach, those who They care for and dream of a city getting better every day. [music] It is the reflection of the sunset on the bay, the nights that remain alive, [music] the culture that is born in its streets. Asunción, the mother of cities. [music] Almost 500 years ago, a story began here a story that transcended its borders. Today [music] That story continues, and the best part is yet to come. It is yet to be written. Welcome everyone to [music] first forum, Asunción 500 years. With you, his hosts, Mr. President of the Republic, Santiago Peña Palacios, and the first lady and honorary president [music] of the Asunción 500th Anniversary Commission architect Leticia Ocampos. [music] [music] President, national and municipal authorities, representatives of organizations international, guests who are joining us from various countries, members of the academia, the private sector, and the civil society. Dear friends, very good morning. And welcome. The video we just shared It ends with a phrase that sums it up very well. The spirit that brings us together today is good. Does Almost 500 years ago a story began, but the best part is yet to come to be written. I always understood that a city is much more than that. more than its buildings or its streets. a The city is, above all, the life that happens there. within those spaces. They are people who walk through it, families who live there, the businesses that open Every morning, the children who play in the squares, the young people who imagine their future here and all those who with small and large actions build city ​​every day. That's why, when we started working on Asunción 500 years, we were clear that to reach the five centuries of our capital could not be reduced to organizing a grand celebration. We had in front of us a a much more important opportunity, take advantage of this anniversary to return to look at Asunción, to recognize the enormous value of what we inherit and at the same time ask ourselves with a lot sincerity, What kind of city do we want to build towards in front of? Asunción is the mother of cities, a A title that carries weight and holds a story Big, but that only makes sense when it is part of a living city. We don't want a historic center turned into a museum, not even an assumption that he lives only on his memories. We want to recover your assets for to repopulate it, to reclaim its squares to meet again, improve their streets to walk them again and create the conditions so that families, young people, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investments choose the center again. And one of the most valuable things that What we achieved during this process was understand that no institution could I could do that alone. During these 3 years we were building a table in which today the following participate: government of Paraguay, the municipality from Asunción, organizations, organizations international, private sector, academia and civil society. Each from their competition, but all understanding that the decisions about housing, mobility, infrastructure, security, heritage, culture, tourism, Public spaces and investment have to to be part of the same vision of city. What started as a conversation today It begins to materialize. We have projects underway, works that are starting, public spaces that are being recovered, new tools to live again in the center and an investment agenda that begins to transform places that they were for too long waiting for an opportunity. But we still have a lot to do. And that is precisely why we are here today. This forum was not intended to say that We have all the answers, it was designed to ask better questions, listen and learn. We want to know what other cities did, what Did it work? What mistakes did they make and what we can adapt to our own reality. We want specialists internationals talk with our technicians, that the public sector listens to the private sector, that academia engage in dialogue with those who make decisions and fundamentally that civil society has a place in This conversation. To those who arrived from other countries to share their knowledge and experiences, thank you very much for accepting our invitation to CAF, to the Bank World and to become more agrarian. Because there is something that is the capital of all the Paraguayans. It's our gateway, our shared history and often the first image we show to the world. Recovering it and projecting it cannot be only one cause of the asuncenos, It has to be a national cause. We are living in a moment extraordinary for our country. Paraguay is growing, it is being seen in a different way and is demonstrating that he can think big. And our capital city has to be part of it. that giant Paraguay that we are building. We still have a few years before to reach 500 years. These are years that We have to take advantage of this. I would like that when that moment arrives Let's not only celebrate everything that Assumption was. The forum represents a decisive step, we It allows integrating more voices, opening up the conversation and draw up a roadmap common that goes far beyond us. Because a city is It transforms with works, but it is built especially when many people They decide to move towards the same place. Thank you so much. Thank you very much, Leti. Ladies and gentlemen, Good morning everyone. Let me begin by saying that it is It's a real pleasure to hear from you, dear. Leti. Everyone who knows you knows that speaking isn't easy for you and much less public speaking, but the passion you've put into this The project speaks of the commitment that You have with the city. Talking about that one that assumption that we all dream of. I I talk a lot about history. of the Paraguay, from that clash of two civilizations, But that's represented here in this. city. This city is a reflection of that clash of two civilizations that in little In 11 more years, it will turn five centuries. From my side and from the place that I occupy, I would like to speak from a dimension of this transformation which is also essential, an aspect that It perfectly complements that look an architect who loves her city and is to understand that recovering Asunción is not only an urban decision or patrimonial, it is also a decision economic. For a long time we talked about the enormous potential of the historic center. Have heritage, location, infrastructure, services, connectivity, institutions, universities, businesses and a position which is privileged facing the river. Without However, for decades a part A significant part of that potential was losing activity with transit strengthens or recovers a public building. It's going beyond simply doing a work. With each intervention there is creating the conditions for New ones appear around that work investments, new businesses, new housing, services, restaurant, hotels, businesses and therefore more jobs. He is working to make that space improve the quality of life for those who benefit inhabited or for those who travel through it. That's the virtuous circle we want generate here in Asunción, that the public investment is capable of mobilizing private investment and that both end generating development, employment and a better city. Therefore, with the strategy that we are promoting as the project Urban Resilience, we address simultaneously infrastructure, housing, mobility, security, heritage, tourism, culture and space public. And above all, we work on the economic conditions that we need to be able to see again competitive to the historic center, because we want to invest in the center makes sense again. We want unity and not simply a race of obstacles. We want developing housing to be attractive, that a young person can access a house near where they study or work, so that a family can return to settle here and that an entrepreneur to promote repopulation and measures that seek to create a more favorable environment for investment, because a city that has inhabitants again, recovers consumers, commerce, services, safety and activity throughout the day. But we still have a reason. older to take on this challenge now. Paraguay is experiencing a moment of transformation. Our country is growing, attracting investment, It creates opportunities and gains prominence international. We are building the bases of that giant Paraguay that during a Paraguay that trusts its capabilities, that competes, that produces, that attracts talent and capital and that looks forward with ambition. But a Paraguay that thinks big It also needs capital to do the same. Asunción has to accompany that process. Asunción has to be protagonist. It has to be a city capable of receiving investments and visitors, attract talent, generate opportunities. study, work, run errands, received, undertake, invest, enjoy our culture or simply a meeting place. It What happens in our capital has impact far beyond its limits municipal. That's why we need to reclaim Asunción. It is also about strengthening Paraguay. And not We will only achieve that from the national government. The scale of the The transformation we want requires something much larger. Public investment and private, international cooperation, technical knowledge, academia, society civil and an institutional framework capable of to maintain a vision that for many We hadn't had it for years. Together we can find the solutions to each of these challenges. Joined we will be able to achieve everything we Let's propose. That's one of the greats values ​​of this forum. Today we have around the same conversation to people who know about experiences successful urban transformation projects in our region and the world. organisms international contributions knowledge, financing and capacity technical, authorities who have the responsibility to make decisions, entrepreneurs capable of competing investment opportunities and citizens who know and live this city ​​every day and they know that They need to protect, so that progress and become the assumption that makes us most proud. We don't want to copy another city, we don't. they needed and build our own model of desaro. TO They require time and mainly of conviction. Perhaps that is the compromise the most important thing we can assume today, to ensure that this agenda transcends those of us who circumstantially occupy public responsibilities. When the 500th anniversary arrives years, we will no longer be in charge of the government. But it will be then that Many of the decisions we are making Taking them will be showing all their impact. That means we must governing by thinking beyond our own interests own time. I want to thank you once again, my Dear Leti, for having taken on this great challenge at the beginning and for having managed to articulate wills that many sometimes they seemed difficult to accept. We have before us a an opportunity that few generations have. Prepare a city with almost five centuries of history for its next 100 years. The Paraguay that We are building requires us to think about giant and our capital. I'm sure will rise to that challenge. Also, Santi, we are preparing the capital of all Paraguayans. We invite everyone present to contribute standing in their respective places and look towards the camera to record this moment. This photograph bears witness to a a special moment for Asunción, the meeting of those who assume the commitment to Transforming the city of Asunción together on its way to its 500th anniversary. In this way, and with loud applause We bid farewell to the president of the Republic of Paraguay, We therefore appreciate the presence of Mr. President of the Republic. First lady thanks the presence of President of the Republic, the first lady in this forum. Asunción 500 years, a forum with a presence national and international. with great anticipation. We begin our day talking about something very Thank you all so much. How to intervene in the city that Do we want to transform? The petonic center needs investment and new works, but it also needs common criteria that allow each intervention contribute to a more orderly city, accessible, sustainable and consistent with its identity. The urban design manual for the Center Historical site of Asunción, a proposal from MOPC to move towards criteria and common guidelines to guide the interventions in urban space. He This document included the World Bank cooperation. For your We invited the engineer to the presentation. Claudia Centurión, Minister of Public Works Public and Communications, with a strong applause. Just talk to this here. Good morning everyone. Mister President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, Mrs. Leticia Campos, first lady of the nation, To all those present, Mr. President of the Chamber of Deputies, to the mayor of the city of Asunción, to the Chancellor of the Republic of Paraguay, to all authorities, institutional representatives, ministers, technical team, neighbors, and neighbors of our beloved Assumption, colleagues, engineers, architects, Welcome. They say a 1000 km journey begins One step forward, and today we continue taking another. very important in the history of our dear capital Asunción. I want to begin by saying thank you From the heart to the First Lady of the nation, Leticio Campos. Leti, I know that this moment is very important. part of a dream come true. The first plan, the first step of this plan for the 500th anniversary of Asunción You gave it on the first day of this government, initiating projects and actions key elements that are revitalizing and preserving our heritage historic center, the place where our country was born. to be in this convention center today a restored old office, revitalized. In fact, it is a step and a decision, an idea that came from you. Is a conviction that you support it with work, with patience and with enormous affection for this city. And today, to see this manual in our hands It's seeing that dream turned into a a concrete and living tool for the future generations. I also want to express my sincere gratitude special to the World Bank. Thanks for to believe in Asunción, because of this a city that deserves investment, attention and a look to the future. The World Bank's support does not is it just a technical backup or financial, is a clear sign that the The world also looks at our capital and bet on it. On August 15th, Asunción celebrates 489 years. It has been almost 20 centuries since Juan de Salazar Espinosa founded on the banks of our river the city that brings us together today. Since then these streets were witnesses to everything, to our history, of our struggles, of our joys, of everyday life millions of Paraguayans who They walked here before us. And we are already beginning to move towards those 500 years. 11 years separate us from that date and there's no better way to Let's get ready to begin From now on, let's sow what that The assumption of 500 years will need. Because the nobility of working in the Public service is in building projects that continue to grow in the time legacies. living works that transform and are born of decisions we make today and that the Citizens of today and tomorrow will enjoy. And that's exactly what this manual is about. urban design of the Historic Center of Plasma Assumption. I'm going to tell you a little more about him. This The manual is a technical proposal from Ministry of Public Works and Communications to guide the interventions of this great project of urban resilience. And I want to be very clear about this, it's not a closed, finished document that goes to to be stored in a drawer. This is the beginning of a proposal that will continue growing, which will continue to feed of ideas, from the perspective of the technicians, of the institutions that today we accompany and especially the people who He walks through the city center every day. historical. Our historic center is already leaving from being a place of passage to being a to become a meeting place again. The I think the Palmear fair is a great an example of this. We want sidewalks where we can walk. We want to improve the mobility of citizens, squares that we can enjoy, well-lit streets that give us security and also that it has that space to be inclusive for people who are not can uh taking advantage of someone with a disability. This manual is also a memory, It is to tell each Sunceno and each Suncena, your story matters, that you Identity matters. And this manual is also about the future because a well-maintained historic center attracts Tourism boosts trade and opens up job opportunities for the families, so that families can live better and can develop within it, in the center. We're not just talking about urban planning, we are talking about dignity, of identity and real opportunities for people. We did not carry out this work alone. It is the fruit of commitment joint effort between the Ministry of Public Works Public and Communications, the Office of the First Lady of Nation, the Asunción 500 Years Commission, The Municipality of Asunción, the Secretariat National Institute of Culture and the Bank World. To each institution, to each technical, to each person who put their knowledge and their heart in these pages, thank you very much. This manual It takes a little bit of each of you. AND I want to close with something simple. When Asunción turns 500 years old, hopefully the families walking through this center historical feel that they are walking through a a city that cares for them, that respects them, which gives them back time, security and pride. This, for me, is what truly matters. It means to serve, to work so that the citizens live better, although afterwards, as the years go by they don't remember who made it possible. Assumption, here We are, we continue working together towards your 500th anniversary. Thanks a lot. [applause] We appreciate the minister's words. Claudia Centurion And then we invite the authorities at the time of the photo official. We invite you again, for Please, Mr. President of the Republic and to the members of the commission to come here to the front for Take an official photo with the manual. The First Lady obviously presides. lady, the architect Leticio Campos, the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Urban Planning, Housing and Habitat, the Minister of Culture, the Minister of Tourism, the mayor of the city of Asunción, the president of ANDE and the general coordinator of the Commission Asunción 500 years. please. One more. A very special moment for the city from Asunción. Members of the Asunción 500 Commission years, accompanied by the president of the Republic of Paraguay. This commission, chaired by the first Lady of the Nation, the architect Leticio Campos and a great team. So I order a A big round of applause, please, for them. Thank you so much. Now, in this way and with a strong Applause, we bid farewell to the president of the Republic, Santiago Peña Palacios. We appreciate your support in this such an important day for our capital. This is how they are saying goodbye to President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, the first lady, Leticio Campo, because the presidential agenda continues with their activity. Already at a pace a very busy schedule. They withdraw in this way. We will also have the opportunity to to know him up close. The Secretariat Nacional de Honduras has prepared two special experiences for the forum participants. Very well, this is how it is withdrawn. President of the Republic, is abandoning there. We are having the farewell. of the President of the Republic and continues with activity in another one a very busy schedule, as always will be accompanying Francisco Paredes with Luis Saucedo on camera for the joint work that is carried out in this moment. The forum continues this morning. we will have participation from representative of the World Bank, also representatives of international institutions linked to UNIT, of the Bank Inter-American Development Bank, the BT, also from other very important funds and representatives of activities as well linked to the private sector, developers that have to do with this. We'll be back, if you like. We return to the central transmission of this event to listen to a A little bit about how the whole operation works today. Joint broadcast to the media from the state through Paraguay TV, national radio, the various media and also via streaming. We continue with the transmission. We want the heritage be the topic of conversation. We want also see it, feel it and remember it. Okay, now we're starting with the first one. This morning's panel discussing the reconversion and revitalization of the center historical Asunción. Transforming the historic center requires coordinate infrastructure, public services, public spaces and financing. And Asunción is already making progress in that. address. The urban resilience project of the coastal strip of Asunción executed by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications with financing from the World Bank, This constitutes one of the main initiatives, currently underway for improve infrastructure and spaces public and accompany the process of urban revitalization of our capital. on how to coordinate these efforts We will talk in this first panel. We invite you to come onto the stage, for Please, to the representative in Paraguay and regional manager for the southern cone of CAF, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. A big round of applause for to welcome Mr. Jorge, who is going to of this first panel. the one who desires it. Further to this conversation, this panel, We invited engineer Claudia Centurion, Minister of Public Works and Communications. We also called the representative of World Bank in Paraguay, Ursula Blote. Go ahead, please. We summon Alonso Chaverri Suárez, representative of the Inter-American Development Bank developmental. [applause] Panel ready to discuss the reconversion and revitalization of the Center Historical site of Asunción. Mr. Jorge, as moderator I now hand over to you the word. Well, good afternoon, good morning to everyone. Uh, I would like Open this panel by congratulating the First Lady, Leticia Ocampos. Uh, a through it, of course, to President Peña, to the cabinet, to Mayor, to all the authorities that they are accompanying us That's why this forum and this panel exist. in particular. Uh, the first lady, like It has been well said, it has been done, uh, and that's why we loved him other multilateral banks, with the World Bank, with the IDB, this power to sponsor this event and in addition to accompanying it with cooperation technical aspects of the entire Asunción 500 project years like so many other projects that we have been doing fruitfully with the first lady's office. And I want to express my gratitude for coordinating This panel. Uh, they're using voices described as that of the minister Centurion, another person who has done this project eh of recovery of the historic center, A great emblem, huh? And a great act of permanent personal commitment. and of course from my dear colleagues Urso Leblote of the World Bank and Alonso Chaverri of Bit, representatives to those who have called us and made us happy eh to work together to accompany the project and agenda that the government of Paraguay is proposing to us. a brief reflection to introduce this panel on what reconversion is and revitalization of the historic center of from Asunción. AND When we celebrate 500 years, are we celebrating the past or are we projecting and dreaming about the future? As has been said at the beginning, eh Both, celebrate the past and dream of the future and and above all, to build it. And when 500 years pass, they pass Governments come and go, buildings change, the way we work, the way we meet, But something remains, a kind of DNA foundational that the city has, a essence, the things that make Asunción and the cities, be what they are and nothing else. And that essence has a physical headquarters. The physical headquarters of that essence of the cities are in their historic center. Is somehow that which remains in one city ​​when everything else has changed. That place where memory is preserved and the future is projected. That's why what We're going to discuss this panel, it's so... important. Revitalize a center historical It is much more, as mentioned here, than a feat of urban engineering. Is revitalize ourselves as a people. Is revitalize as a country, as a community, as a project regional. I'm not saying it in the air. There are 32 cities in our region of countries that are partners of our organisms, which are heritage world in the field of historic centers and all of this is at stake in them. preserve memory and build the future at the same time, make the heritage The historical site should be well cared for, but... at the same time produce development economic, inclusion, innovation, culture, future. When one goes to the historic centers and He sees them, and realizes something much more important. The state of a center Historical data is usually a good sign of state of health of the entire nation and of the whole city. Therefore, this act Love and caring for him are very important and It is also very important that Paraguay and in particular Asunción has joined the Ibero-American Network of Cities for the 500th anniversary. Does Precisely, and with this I conclude, it's been a year, in Santa Marta, the first city of South America, which turned 500 years old, The launch of this network took place cities for the 500th anniversary and Asunción has just joined. We moved it from CAF to the issue together with the secretariat of with SEGIP, the Secretariat of Ibero-American and we are giving it the possibility of anointing next November. Everyone is invited, the first lady, mayor and all those who us accompany us in presenting everything that is here debate at that time. So, very good. We're talking about building the future, and what better way to do that? to start with a female leader of the construction, the construction of the future. Minister Claudia Centurión, you are well. He said in his first introduction that he It deals not only with urban planning, but also with dignity. Uh, what exactly does that mean? for the government of Paraguay, for its ministry, the idea of ​​integrality to address the issue of the centers historical? Well, thank you very much, Jorge. Alonso, Ursula. Hey, greetings again to all those present, especially to the first lady of the nation and very very The words are interesting. Reflections on your introduction, Jorge. AND really this aspect of wholeness that we want to give to the by intervening to to the approach to the city of Asunción This means our work goes a lot beyond merely intervening facades or a historic building. It means thinking systemically and in different dimensions. One of them, undoubtedly, is the infrastructure, work on that infrastructure that which cannot be seen, such as stormwater drainage, such as sanitation, such as water networks, work on that infrastructure that We don't want it to be seen, as we already know. We've been doing this with ANDE, burying the cables, eh letting eh shine the facades, the historic buildings and of course working intensively on that which is most tangible in their squares, in the squares, on the sidewalks, on a new pavement, so that finally the citizens can Enjoy the renovated spaces. That's a harder, more difficult dimension. tangible, uh, and that's the goal of the infrastructure. But a fundamental dimension of when We speak of wholeness, without room for Doubts are people. And this is not only incorporates into the government of Paraguay, to the municipality of Asunción incorporates investors into private sector that is committed to investing to give new life to the center historical, bet on working very much close to the neighbors, with the neighbors, socialize the work we are doing doing. And I would tell you that a third one third dimension, a third pillar of This comprehensive approach has to do with also with temporality, to be working with a vision, with a a forward-looking perspective, rescuing and maintaining that sense, that identity of the city, but with a deep conviction also to create the city of the future, a modern assumption, a assumption that has space for everyone citizens and for all Paraguayans, because, as has also been said, This is the beginning of this forum, uh, the center History is a heritage for all. Paraguayans. Basically, it's giving it a not a look at a work, but to give it that human sense, that civic sense each intervention. The manual is a This is also proof of that comprehensive work. that we want to do, because although it is alive, we want it to keep being renewed and Updating because that's how it is cities, but without but What I wanted to do to you was, uh, what makes you May this initiative be so transformative for Asunción and what are the main components And why do you think it's also so important integrated and more inclusive. It is integrated from the World Bank and more inclusive from the World Bank. We are very happy to be here, we support very happy to be here supporting this project because we know that there is a project underway because We know there is a vision for the city behind this initiative. We consider the project to be transformer. We consider the project to be transformer because it's about thinking about those spaces and see how they can change the people's lives. bring new opportunities and be able to bring more close to the city, its neighborhoods and its rivers. The project is also very timely. because it occurs in a context where the Climate change events are increasingly increasingly extreme. In fact, we are The child is currently living and this The project aims to enable the city to absorb, retain and conduct better water, thus reducing the risks of floods. But a transformation of this scale This is only possible if there is a strong inter-institutional coordination where we participate together communities, institutions and the allies. This implies a change of paradigm, a total change of vision with clear roles and shared vision. The World Bank is supporting this process. not only with funding, but also with technical assistance and It does so by acknowledging that the solutions They must be adapted to the local context, but always keeping the focus on communities. Very well, thank you very much, Ursula. Alonso, uh, what lessons does the B's experience in historic centers? It's a great opportunity for Asunción and a great opportunity for B with seven decades of work throughout the region can contribute its collaboration. So your word will be very important. Thank you very much, Jorge. Good morning. Let me just say how lovely and exciting! being here all together working for This dream, which is the revitalization of Asunción, so that she may be beautiful, so that She looks beautiful, for her 500 years and full of life. Thank you very much, Madam First Lady lady for summoning us. It has already been mentioned, but it is worth repeating. To reiterate, that a process revitalization of a historic center It must be a sustained process of urban transformation, already sustained for some time 20 years old. That's why it's so important work that is being done here in Assumption of linking all these efforts with a view to what will to be 500 years in just over a decade. And what has happened in Santo Domingo is that public investment that It was done revitalized private activity and with those 30 million from the first Today we have been able to quantify the loan that private investment has reached $100 million, that is, more than three times the public investment that has been mobilized by investment private. There is clearly an effect catalyst for these investments. Another example in the historic center of Saint Louis in Brazil, IDB financing of 40 millions. And what did we learn from that? It What we learned was the importance of the private sector be part of the design of the solutions and not just a subsequent beneficiary of revitalization actions. So, when that recovery occurs of urban spaces in buildings historical, in housing, in accessibility, We saw the generation of 780 in San Luis jobs, generating opportunities for 170 micro-entrepreneurs and a benefit for the entire community of 33,000 people. So, with these examples, with the images we saw in the urban design manual that was presented And my congratulations to the MOPC, to the Bank World Cup and to all who participated In that great effort, there's something to dream about, there's something to dream about food for thought How can Asunción be? For its 500th anniversary, an even more attractive place to live. for starting a business, for visiting, and it is a a transformation that is already happening. I saw when I came this morning for this place the beautiful image of the Virgin Our Lady of the Assumption, may it be support all these efforts. Very well, thank you very much, Alonso. I'm coming back He's going to ask the minister... projects that it has to execute Ministry of Public Works in the Downtown Asunción. I've been told it has a very good video Nice to show us, so while He's telling us the story, we're going to accompany us with the images that illustrate. Thank you, Jorge. I think we passed the video, right? which has sound, so afterwards We had a brief conversation. Feeling proud of what is ours while We walked through the historic center, [music] Enjoy an afternoon in its squares, return to Caballero Park to spend the weekend with family, [music] to appreciate the flight of birds in the Banco San Miguel and knowing that thousands of families from the northern wetlands [music] They will live in an urban infrastructure. resilient to floods, dignified and seated. [music] and we will rehabilitate the squares of the Cabildo, the disappeared, Isabel la Católica, Uruguaya y Oleari. [music] We buried the wiring electrical and we will improve the drainage of water and street lighting. Old [music] station of the railway, bringing life back to the heritage heart of Asunción. In it Caballero Park, we are recovering one of the greenest lungs [music] beloved city residents with new spaces for play, sport and meeting for families. In the district We will build an eco-inclusive project. urban infrastructure for families from Bañado Norte who today live at risk of flooding. And at Banco San Miguel We will protect the nature reserve and the Asunción Bay, [music] taking care of the biodiversity that it provides and the bay of Asunción taking care of biodiversity that It gives life to our city. Urban resilience is not just a construction project public, it's a project we built together. We also promote [music] the local economic development of the families from the coastal strip with training and support to grow their powers and ventures, thinking about [music] the assumption that we want today and for the future generations. This project is not a dream, [music] is a fact. I followed each Move forward and join this transformation. [music] [applause] Well, Jorge, that and all the present, that's a video summary of our flagship project. And if you me You ask about the 1 billion per year that we implemented in the Ministry of Public Works Public and Communications, one of the projects that motivate us the most we know that it has as its center the citizen, as the center for every Paraguayan, Paraguayan woman who wants to see her shine capital again, its historic center and As you rightly said, a center historic that shines. because it shines It's a reflection of the state of the country and We want it to be that example of this giant that rises again. While we saw many images of Regarding this, I want to emphasize that this The project is already underway. Project It is currently being implemented and within that We can tell you, right? It's ready. Oleari Square delivered, completely revitalized. He is currently in full implementation of the renewal of Uruguayan square, Caballero Park. Already We can witness what has meaning bury seven large medium voltage columns that we had on the waterfront from the park Caballero to General Avenue Saints and to have today a much more nuanced perspective clearer and cleaner. to our in our waterfront. The independent Paraguayan is also It's underway, it's going to widen the sidewalks, change the pavement, bury cables, Hey the heritage buildings. ales can show off their finest attire, TRUE? We are working very closely together with the Ministry of Culture, with the Municipality of Asunción, with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, but Above all, and it must also be highlighted again under the leadership of first lady of the nation. The ande It also has a fundamental role also. Although afterwards, surely the The president is going to have ANDE's... to have the space to stand out with detail what Palma Brilla has been, that It has also been part of the projects that we, as the government of Paraguay, have carried out. go ahead to eh reset this new concept that we want for our capital. This historic building where This has been the first project that We highlighted its value and it has completely transformed Conceptual, right? If they were offices of an institution to be this large convention center, a center that can house the spaces for discussion and fairground entertainment, huh commercial, tourist for the citizenship. what is happening in government offices with all the revitalization of the sheds old ones also from the port, are a Another work, another bet on this vision comprehensive care that we are providing to Asunción. I don't want to fail to mention the great major urban mobility project that We're also working on it, and I think... which will be another emblem of this Paraguay, which is resurging and is the train of commuter train, a train that will reach the central station, up to the old railway station, which will be seen fully valued, reconverted, but that only goes between safeguarding the heritage, but it will allow this sign of modernity that will constitute on the train. many projects. He transport area also basically It seeks to enable citizens to to move around in a better way to center, which is the great attractor, the one of the trips of most of the lilies and the great ones urban access works also to expedite entry and exit from the city Assumption and again respecting our history, respecting our DNA, but giving rise also to this work of infrastructure that is not an end in itself itself, but it is a means for the so that we, the people of Asunción, can live better. And I want comment, while we are giving a lot of focus to Asunción 500 years and the historic center, which is currently underway, a a project that also belongs to the people of Azunce and that also hopes to solve at its core the problem of the wetlands. Today with a very significant investment of the hand of the Inter-American Development Bank Development, we are building the Tacumbú neighborhood, the new Tacumbú neighborhood which is on the southern coast, where We are already generating all the infrastructure on 64 hectares, a new city, a portion of city that It's probably the part of the city more modern than what we have today in Our capital, because it has uh filled everything related to stormwater drainage, everything which is sewerage, the whole part electrical, in some cases underground, sidewalks, paved streets, and already today The construction is under evaluation at the MOPC. of more than 100 homes that are going to allow more than 5000 people, entire families can have one A new page to build your dreams. We began this transformation because of these the most vulnerable sectors, for those that do not have the conditions to have a decent house outside of uh the uh harsh weather, right? or the swings that can produce the change eh of of river level, floods, etc. Today we embrace them and today We built a new neighborhood that allow them to dream and allow them to develop with dignity. But that's not it. that's all. I believe it's the investment historic and I have no doubt, the investment historical of a government to its city, to its capital. And we also begin with this social infrastructure, this infrastructure that solves where It hurts the Paraguayan the most. Today he is in full implementation also the first major referral hospital for the city of Asunción, a hospital that the capital with the one that the capital did not have and that today from the government through the MOPC We are making it happen. Yeah It's a historic investment, isn't it? only the road or that with which that the MPC was used to traditionally. Today we are working in our squares, in our streets, uh, burying our cables, burying medium-voltage columns of the power lines and we are working with people, which is what but most importantly, giving this human face to every work we do forward. Minister, her passion is contagious. Let's see how we can support her and I think one way is the one that Now Ursula, we wanted to ask you with all the experience that the Bank has Global, what regional lessons, What added value can the Bank bring? World Cup based on what from his knowledge and experience compared. I think that's what we can do the most. contribute where we have the most value Furthermore, we go beyond the financing. We provide uh a combination of technical knowledge, global experience, financing and Furthermore, we support governments from throughout the entire stage of the processes, that is, from the design, the preparation, implementation and after monitoring of results. And that's because one urban agenda as ambitious as this one can be implemented only by an institution or through a single tool. And speaking of tools, I want to mention, uh, a example of how technical capabilities The World Bank Group applies directly to the projects and it's talking from our Edge tool. is the sustainable construction tool from the World Bank group, what it does It enters from the design stage of project and help to make interventions early so that they are generated savings in water consumption, of energy and the materials that involved in the construction of so that they are more resilient and efficient. It is also a certification international in which the constructions that reach 20% of savings in these three areas receive a construction certification sustainable. And precisely the project is introducing, uh, housing, uh CONECH certified sustainable in eh precisely the eco-inclusive district. So we believe that, in addition to the tools we can bring, mobilizing what we have learned in other countries are also very important. In Argentina, in Buenos Aires, we did also a reconstruction project urban that was truly transformative and who taught us that it is possible to be inclusive and that communities can not only to be beneficiaries of the projects, but an integral part of the transformations. I think that if I had to do a Summary of what we learned the most in these types of projects that we have implemented in other places and that We are applying this in the project coastal strip, there would be three three First of all, C for coordination interinstitutional because it cannot to work in isolation, has to there needs to be good coordination between institutions, allies and communities. The Second C is precisely communities like the center of the transformation and the The third C is institutional capacity because the only way to maintain these reforms over time are creating the adequate capabilities in the institutions that will be watching over it. other cities and implement them in the a project that we are now pushing forward. Thank you so much, Ursula. Alonso, what What contribution can be made by group B for mobilize investments and strengthen the coordinated work from now until 2037 and the 500 years of Assumption? Thank you, Jorge. Well, our presence in Asunción is long-standing. Uh, I'd like to remember that 65 years have already passed since Paraguay and B signed their first loan agreements that are currently at rest diagonally across from the Pantheon of Heroes in that large urban space called Museum Economics. They are on display there. AND Well, uh, that connection with Asunción It remains in effect. we have supported more recently with a diagnosis comprehensive center long-term, which is so important for urban development. and that cannot be thought of in a way isolated, but it needs to be thought about in its connection with the rest of the city and with its entire area of ​​influence, including, as the minister recalled Centurion, this great project Transformer that makes us proud, huh? to support, which is the new neighborhood Tacumbú, Perhaps one of the projects I've most visited since I arrived Because when We have been together, Minister of Energy, the hope of the people in the neighborhood, really inspires us to continue moving forward. Well, but in addition to these projects And these studies, I want to tell you that last year We added a very specific experience that It was with the conclusion of the project of Chacarita Alta, which with the minister We have visited Baruja several times and there $15 million was invested and It is in a neighborhood of great symbolic value. It is the birthplace of the Paraguayan guaraña. this heritage and material of humanity and which allowed to benefit directly and indirectly to more than 1000 residents. And that's the most important thing, what I would like to know is to recapture the approach we had of prioritize the permanence of families in their environment, in their community and all the interventions that were made in sidewalks, in public spaces, in new The homes that were delivered were precisely to respect that environment and to maintain that social connection of a neighborhood so close to the center and so important in the history of the country. Now, looking ahead, what What are we doing? We are making progress with a study of associations urban public-private partnerships, and that's very important for the reasons I mentioned before of private sector involvement and Citizenship in the future of the center historical. And what will this allow? study of public-private partnerships is to identify specific projects that can benefit from instruments such as land management to capture value and be able to finance new investments. opportunities that partnerships open up public-private partnerships can be transformed in more housing, in mixed uses and the generation and creation of greater value for these parks and public spaces that are already being transformed. I believe that here the ones that are well designed are public investment tools and Private companies create jobs, they generate better quality of life in the city. Well, thank you very much, Alonso. Let's see If they dare, in 30 seconds a dream, a message, a proposal, eh, for each one. I want to start with Ursula, then with Alonso and we left the minister closing. I want to close with a very, very idea. simple, very simple, and there are two types of cities, those that await that the future happens and others that come out build it. Ah. Forum. Thank you so much. Many Thank you, Ursula Alonso. Jorge, very fast. Don Carlos Antonio López said that Paraguay knows what it can do and is worth, and That's what we see in Asunción, a a city that knows its history, that He knows his identity, he knows his worth And now, thanks to everyone's efforts, We are moving forward to take advantage those opportunities. I am grateful The invitation is very welcome and you can count on it. us to continue for the next 11 years and for many years to come more to come. Thank you very much, Minister. Thank you so much to everyone, to my Fellow panelists, to you, Jorge. Ah, just the message that, well, Asunción is not being rebuilt every 500 years. We are in Asunción building each day with each square that We are recovering, with each street that which is recovered, with the undergrounding of its cables and the important thing is to give it a sense, a vision, and from the infrastructure to generate this base silent that will allow everyone the people of Azucena and all Paraguayans Let's reclaim that pride, eh, let's put it in value memory and may we have better days to enjoy. of our historic center. I think that The challenge today is not only to continue implementing these plans that are already in place march, but to be able to support them in the time. And the only way to guarantee That sustainability means that the citizens take ownership of it and understand that The historic center does not belong to the government. Of course, it's not just from the municipality not only of the Asuncenos, but it is the heritage of each one of Paraguayans, both men and women. So Keep dreaming, keep going. Together. Uh, I was thinking, Leticia, Claudia, colleagues, huh, how lovely it's going to be when that lovely feeling that We have it with each clap, let's have it not just on one street and one day, but in every street and every day of year. And I'm sure that by 2037 we're going to to have this and that this path that has It will be possible to start. Our dream institutional such as CAF, Banco de Development of Latin America and the Caribbean It's just that this photo, the one we took when beginning with all of us who are here or this photo of the government and the multilateral organizations, may you all be Together, let the photo build the any movie made between now and then 2037. All together, all united collaborating. There aren't several projects, there's one. project, there is an agenda that is the agenda that Paraguayan women have built and the Paraguayans with the leadership of the first lady's office and that we are going to Let's all move forward together. together throughout this time. They are going to many governments will change until 2037. We're going to change many of the things that we are collaborating on the various international organizations. They are going to changing social leadership, they are going to Many things will change, but it's very It is important that this unity remains, This collaboration, this delivery, and this ability to be together dreaming for a Asunción is much nicer, a center A wonderful historical Paraguay, and each day increasingly attractive and more integrated into world. Thank you all so much. We thank our panelists, to Mr. moderator Jorge Sur, representative in Paraguay and manager CAF's regional branch for the Southern Cone, Bank of Development of Latin America and the Caribbean. to engineer Claudia Centurión, Minister of Public Works and Communications, to Ursula Blote, representative of the Bank World Cup in Paraguay, to Mr. Alonso Chaverry Suárez, representative of the Bank Inter-American Development Bank. Thanks to all of them for joining us in this panel. The recovery of the historic center does not It consists only of in intervening in streets, squares and buildings. A city needs people above all else. that they inhabit it. And that will be precisely the point of our next conversation. is to restore its residential function and create conditions for more people can choose again the downtown as a place to live. In that address is Sheroga Poná 2. center, a specific type of housing program oriented to promote access to housing and contribute to the repopulation of the Center Historical site of Asunción. Returning to live in the city center means also bring housing, work, services, education, culture and spaces public. And to achieve this, we need to formulate housing policies, urban planning, infrastructure, services and territorial management. For Let's talk a little about it. next panel. We invited Adriana Ortiz, the Minister of Culture, who will have He is in charge of moderating this panel. We also invited Master Luis Vedo, Mayor of Asunción, go ahead favor, to engineer Juan Carlos Baruja, minister, minister of urban planning, Housing and Habitat. Go ahead, please. minister. Also to Elkin Velázquez, regional director of UN Habitat. To engineer Miguel Váez, president of the National Administration of Electricity. The ANDE. Go ahead, for Please, engineer Welcome everyone to this place historical. We are at the cultural center of the Port, the Epicenter, ground zero, where this city was born, this city that It is the mother of cities and it is also a a very symbolic place because the Center Cultural del Puerto was the first yes of the first lady and the president for to begin this revolution of the revitalization of the Historic Center of Asunción that needs us all together. I really see a lot of faces. business, but he believes that a Paraguay with a renewed capital Everything and everyone is possible if we... We all unite. That's why this panel is vital and important towards a center Historic renovation We can never do it alone. Plan a city ​​is thinking like a policy comprehensive public, thinking as a state Paraguayan and thinking from a society united civil. Thank you, First Lady, for to facilitate this meeting between everyone. I would like to welcome to this panel Luis Bello, mayor of the city of Asunción, to dear Juan Carlos Baruja, Minister of Urban Planning, Housing and Habitat of the Government of Paraguay, to Elim Velázquez, UN regional director Habitat, many thanks to the engineer Miguel Váez, president of ANDE. Here each with their expertise, each of their institutional commitment, daily bet on day to the historic center and we committed from the government of Paraguay, we are here to be able to to accompany, to serve and above all to build together, a shared vision, to return to to fall in love, to get to know each other because one You can't truly love what you don't know. And the capital needs more voices. brave ones who say yes, that we can do something together. I would like to introduce some questions, starting with the mayor from Asunción about your vision of the city and repopulation. What conditions must we create to that the Historic Center of Asunción become an attractive place again for to live, to work, to invest and enjoy? and how can we articulate housing, services, infrastructure and a public space to achieve a sustainable, inclusive repopulation mayor. First of all, good morning, Adri, ministers, UN representative Habitat, my First Lady of the Nation, Leticia Campos, to all those present. We are already doing that. We have reduced the tax real estate in the city of Asunción in 52% in the historic center specific and up to 77% for the buildings that are considered historical heritage. What does that do? That people pay less rent than the people pay less tax and that want to return. And another set of things, We're fixing a very busy street. important and historic center of the city. to Sara. It's 16 blocks, the We're finished, but we still have a long way to go. Also We give a particular focus to the cleaning the center and a set of other things, but regardless of All of this, I am convinced which began in this way. It began with a project of a person who assumed He holds an important position in the state accompanying her husband, the President of the Republic, Mrs. first lady, and she made us all believe it with the Palma Brilla project, because everyone in Asunción We could see that it was something very difficult, Some even considered it impossible. with the idea of ​​removing the cables, of bury them underground and imitate that part of Asunción as a great capital of the world made all the others institutions get involved with much more strength and about what He also built the complex of initiatives and above all coordination so that the rest of all policy public that is developing based on what each institution can giving can become a reality. It must be said That's just how it is. One must always be fair ones. I am convinced that everything that we are doing, that everything that is He's building downtown, he started With that, that project that first It seemed impossible, and then it It became a reality, the palm shines. Thank you very much, Mayor. That's right. Hey, I also want to ask for the words of minister Hey Juan Carlos Baruja, I have a question. very specific. What concrete measures the Paraguayan government is facing to revitalize the historic center of Assumption? Good morning to everyone present. In particular, my greetings to the First Lady, Mrs. Leticia Campos, on his behalf, to all authorities who are with us today, also to the panelists. Uh, along the same lines as what he expressed My friend, Mayor Luis Bello, really This began on the 15th August 2023 Under the leadership of the first lady, the Mrs. Leticia, what have you brought to the table to all the ministries involved, to civil society, the private sector, to the academy. has allowed this to go transitioning to regain its shine initially from Palma to Brilla, but later also what is the capital of the country Asunción. Uh, if we Whether it was because of that initiative she had, We wouldn't be here today. And in In that sense, within the measures that They are already being taken, as he rightly said. mayor that was an analysis that It was generated at that working group in the The first lady's office, it was possible to finalize the tax reduction real estate. The next administrations Municipal authorities are already on the same page of the tax reduction in the capital for the purposes of what I can call to repatriate the Asunción residents who have have been expelled from Asunción. And going to the specific measure, from the government of Paraguay through of the Sherogaponá program, has been put in force Sherogaponá center, which is to increase the amount of the loan directed to the capital of Asunción, which today reaches 837 millions of guaraníes that a citizen You can access a loan of up to 30 years term at the lowest rate, 6.5 5% for those who earn from a salary up to six minimum wages and 9.9 for those who have a salary of six up to nine minimum wages. This If we do this in dollars, it represents, $140,000 that a family like that can have maximum credit to either acquire a housing, acquiring an apartment or a duplex in the nation's capital. This has has been a tremendous boost that today makes that the developers are already investing very heavily in new buildings in the capital and in particularly in the center of Asunción. For reference only, one of the most important things we already have in the country It has 2,000 projects underway and in the planning stages. apartments in the nation's capital, TRUE? So that's really it. It has its effect and currently 10% of all pre-approved credits and in program approval analysis Cheroaporá already represent, eh for the city ​​of Asunción. So, really We believe this is one of the measures most important things that it is carrying out The government is moving forward, now with results. tangible, as the mayor said, of the sum of the reduction of tax, the possibility of credit For the citizen, this is what exists today. boosting the real estate sector to new investments in the capital of country. Thank you very much, Minister. And continuing with the importance of repopulating, eh and the real importance of International cooperation is welcome. Elkin, Director General of UN Habitat. I would also like to ask you a question regard. What conditions must we generate so that the Historic Center of Asunción will once again become an attractive place to live, work, invest and enjoy? and how can we articulate housing, infrastructure service for that the public can achieve a repopulation also sustainable in the inclusive time. Thank you very much for the question. Very Good morning, First Lady, many Thank you for your trust in UN-Habitat. at the UN. We were here in December received very kindly, eh by eh by you, with our CEO and From that moment on, we understood the importance of this program, of this process for the country also for the city ​​of Asunción. embrace and the renewal of that commitment. This morning This gives me enough material to make a series of approaches and the first is how Ensuring that this continues to move forward is continue building on what has been built. You are making progress with about the intervention in the center historic and to bring it forward, and that's it. one of the first keys, because of course, of any project that is I want to move forward successfully. And second, the method. And the method of building upon it built here basically translates in taking all those pieces that are already there developing and of course starting or advance, go to the next level in how connect them, in how let me use vernacular terminology, how to get it He played those big investments. We were out yesterday exploring and revisiting Caballero Park, this whole area and it which is already happening and of course that in the mind of the urban geographer, of urban planner and architect already eh starts this important. integration across all policies public, because I make the decision to go to a place because I have the education and health infrastructure next to me, because I have the possibility of access to recreational areas on the other hand, because I'm close to work, etc. How to scale? That's the question. We got off to a good start, how do we scale up? AND We all know here that one of one of the tough issues of the Public policy is about going to scale up, because When we're going to scale, we need to have taking into account other dimensions of current economic behavior, but also from the perception of the citizenship. My last comment is continue building that perception positive for the rest of not only of Asucenas and Asucenos, but of eh people who live in other provinces, in other areas of the country or even in other areas of the continent so that make that decision. It has to do with the city's offering, with the offer of good urban planning, with a quality offering life. Those will be the ones then indicators that will need to be measured such as result of all these investments and of all these actions. Many Thank you, director. Uh, I want to give the word to the president of ANDE with flagship projects. The electrical infrastructure to our The position was initially considered a project. pilot program launched by ANDE with the office The first lady's was from Palma Shine. Uh, in principle we had a lot resistance on the part of the front members, But a good job was done. awareness campaign, the project was showcased, People were convinced of how It would be left until the end, and little by little we went gaining their trust. The result of Palma Brilla was delightful. Everyone liked it. I think Palma His face changed; he looks very handsome. The whole street was truly revitalized Palma and the cross streets And from there others emerged projects. That's when we move on to calling a project. Hey, the center is shining, We went to Presidente Avenue Franco, to Presidente Franco Street, with all its cross-cutting issues, which also We finished it on time, a project fully completed and now we are in a third stage of the work which is the by Benjamin Constant, who is at 70% execution. There is also a fourth stage that will to be placed under the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Works Public and Communications under the supervision of ANDE and a fifth stage that is planned for to start in February of next year that It's going to be on Estrella Street. Until We now have about 28 km of it buried underground network drivers that are already visible improvement on the street. Uh, we installed artifacts AP type high efficiency with LED technology, which also remained very nice. And this is something that is hardly known. It begins, we will continue contributing because it already I think the public has already realized this that everything we've been doing revitalizes the historic center of Our capital and that's what we dream of. The main objective is to revitalize and put into in value everything that is our center historical. Thank God, the first one A lady is knowledgeable in the subject of a a lady who loves urban planning. With She's in the lead, I think this work It will continue to give even better results. fruits. Thank you, Mr. President. I think everyone We eagerly await Star Street. Star Street. If we're going to get there. I want to return to the mayor of the city from Asunción. uh with a question about the future. Thinking about the horizon of that assumption In 500 years, what are the decisions? priorities that we must adapt them today? adopt them today, sorry, and what specific commitments should we make? each sector to assume so that the revitalization of the historic center turn it into a transformation sustainable and L Of the things that went well, if the The coordination didn't go well, if the belief in the center project and that all the institutions, both of the state Paraguayan, like the municipality Assumption. housing in the city center and that that will I'm sure even Paraguayans... people from Asunción who left Asunción return to Asunción because before the cost was very elevated with the public policy of the Ministry of Housing. This makes it so Paraguayans pay less so they can Being in Asunción also makes at the same time as those who were going to go or the those who have already gone back to Asunción, that It is already the effect of what was done in I begin with the coordination of the first lady's office and that all institutions are involved. And it's not just that, it's Palma Brilla, it is, it is the recovery from the Uruguayan square, the recovery Oleari's, is all that's going to invest in the next 3 years with the World Bank loan to the State Paraguayan that is being implemented in Asunción, the entire center of Asunción, Its entire facade is going to change, it's going to be beautiful. It's the gentleman's park that is It's being built, it's the Musi, the Museum Largest Interactive Science Latin America, which is also building, this very place where we are, it is being renewed, the port warehouses that are building and all that is a product of the good deed that was taken, the initiative that was taken from the process of How this was dealt with, with leadership of course, showing that it was possible, and I insist With this, the first thing was Palma shines. to show that it was possible to do the things. The second thing was coordination homes to refurbish their centers historic and worth coming back to live in. and revitalize the historic center of Assumption. In this context and with the positive success which generates Shera Poray, the incentive and That emotion, what plans do you consider It is appropriate to implement the Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing and Habitat Asunción short term to continue strengthening this Sheroa Porá's great challenge and to continue enhancing the habitat of the capital city Assumption? As the president of the Republic today in the enabling of Our forum, right? A city It consists apart from its streets, of its squares, of its infrastructure. A city is primarily its people and In that sense, what we are doing The next step is to try to recover the citizens of Asunción who have been eh Let's call them expelled due to the high cost from the land of taxes and from the inability to acquire a homeownership due to high taxes Real estate, at a high, high price of the land, which are two measurements that already They've been taken, right? The reduction about the tax that the mayor explained that it was an initiative that It was generated precisely from the office of the first lady with the will politics, the mayor, the councilors and all the officials of the municipality. The government's measure from Paraguay and President Santiago Cogaponada Rock 2. Center I return to To mention today allows a citizen obtain a loan up to $10,000 and be able to pay it off over a period of up to 30 years a rate of 6.5% which is a rate, the best rate. And here you can confirm the "I don't think so" throughout the entire hemisphere, right? A rate of 6.5% which are installments frozen in local currency. Today is the which is allowing many returning citizens are opting for to have a home, whether it's a house, a duplex or an apartment in the capital of the country. what remains for us here in By 2026 we are already exceeding 300 millions of dollars in loans committed within the program. That that alone already speaks to the success of this program and how people actually I was expecting this kind of credit, right? So, today we are Already in the planning stages, a new line of loan to continue strengthening and deepening access to housing citizens who want to live in the capital of the country. Thank you very much, Minister. I want to continue with director Elkim and emphasize the importance of this international perspective and the international experiences of revitalization of historic centers. AND above all, a key question that I think that many people who are here They are interested in being able to listen while seated. How can we promote new investments? and contemporary uses for the center historic Asunción, without losing viewed the architectural heritage. That which makes us unique, our identity cultural, the historical memory that they create of this unique territory, eh of Paraguay. I saw the program, which is fantastic. that they have just healed and I know that in the We're going to have bread in Washington Fallardo, who is responsible for the recovery of part of the center historical of Rí Fernando Carrión from Ecuador, who also He is an expert in Quito and in the centers historical figures of Latin America and we are going to have many examples. change the microphone. I think that it's like suddenly in the pile. Uh, now that question of uh the dialectics, convergence between investment and conversation and conservation, conservation, eh that sometimes in public opinion and in the discussion, let's say, of day-to-day life I see it as a dispute. Actually, no. There is. In reality, good projects of development of historic centers what They show that there has been a appropriate public-private conversation. So, I'm in a country, we're in Paraguay, a country that is perhaps one of which shows us that The conversation can take place in a way natural compared to other countries of the region. The first thing is to maintain that conversation, not having him, not having him fear of divergences because one always in a technical manner and of course having clear principles in in terms of social inclusion, in in terms of return on investment private, one can find the points intermediate. So, I think that's it. a first point of method which is Absolutely clear. Now, if one goes a A little further on, I remember that my Grandma used to say that the devil is in the details and the details of the urban planning regulations They will greatly help to materialize the results of that conversation public-private in urban planning regulations and in the details of the urban planning regulations usage management. uh, from the ground is that One can, of course, understand which ones they are and propose what they will be the possibilities for the sector private, eh, continue with the guidance and the trend to invest in the center. And of course, whoever says "eh norma" urban planning says there are rules of game and there are rules of the game that have has been the result of a conversation. So, I think that's one point. thinking about the medium and long term. There needs to be that legal certainty. for the investor who emerges from a public-private conversation horizontal, where the public, by Of course, it appears there. Uh, and there, Let's say, urban planning regulations tell us They show that there are possibilities of generate capital gains that pay the public infrastructure, which is the one that makes attractive private investment. Now, about the specific topic of heritage, by assuming one goes to another level of conversation and where there are different schools of thought. I remember once looking On that topic, let's leave the continent, in Barcelona, ​​in Gotham City, They used to call us the Gothic Quarter, sorry, no It's from Batman, it's the gothic neighborhood of Barcelona. Uh, the chief architect, who She was also an advisor to UN-Habitat, we He said, "Look, one of the one of the most complicated decisions and most discussed in Barcelona. Here We made the decision to remove one apple, historical heritage, eh, high high level, because without that, no we could have created the space the audience we needed so that the families who came to settle in the renovated buildings, all preserved and maintaining, let's say, the criteria, eh heritage conservation architectural so that they could have where to take the children to play park, because in that type of city In medieval times there were no public spaces, of course. And then that to me He personally showed me that a a society that sits down, discusses, and debates giving all the debates and without having him fear of being criticized or that there is other perspectives, because that's normal. of democracy, and I say that's it. fortunate Washington, Fernando Yar in the region We are full of examples where perhaps We went to extremes where, uh, no We got the private sector entered or did enter, but in excess and Then she turned around, I think it was the first time. Lady, you who suggested it, it's a museum. But nobody lives in that one. historic center. So that's one Paraguayan discussion and of course from our international organizations We can, if that's the case, also participate by providing input on what happened What happened there? uh and in some moment also eh help to illustrate and to fill with information, with arguments, from those experiences, those decisions that You are going to take. Thank you so much to the beloved president of ANDE. I believe that the owners present, the merchants, the historic center, the public institutions, we are all eager to know what comes next stars. What are the projects, huh? or what is ANDE's aspiration? to continue building a center Historic wireless? No, we have ambitious projects, TRUE? Always respecting what We've been doing this, because the great challenge Ours at this stage was to reconcile, modernize the system always respecting history, right? Uh, especially leaving those elements that define us as Paraguayan, those who tell you about Where are you from, right? And who are we, TRUE? We always had that special something. Be careful, we have big projects. We are managing a support through of the Bit to be able to install 26,000 LED technology devices with a monitoring and control system, Right? It's going to be the first one that We're going to have it in the country, which is going to have a central monitoring room where one can see in which parts we are No light. Uh, we can do it the next day repair and we can also control the consumption, we can give it more shine or less brightness depending on the time of year we are in. It is a very new technology, of much efficiency and that new project, huh It would be impacting roughly 9 or 10 neighborhoods of Asunción, the large Asunción entrances with all that technology and it's quite a project ambitious for an approximate value of 14 millions of dollars I'll start doing more things because what What we're doing is preparing him to Asunción for the grand 500th anniversary celebration years, right? Just as Mr. said President of the Republic, perhaps none of us are going to be in function for when it arrives, but that's the least important. The important thing is that the 500th anniversary of the Assumption find them all united and all wanting the same thing, to revitalize the center of our capital, that we can to recover so that our family, our children come to to enjoy there, have a coffee, a little coffee there looking at that beautiful sunset we have on the waterfront. That is the dream of every Paraguayan and That's what we aim for and we institutionally we are committed to continue supporting this project beautiful, I think it's a project emblem not only of the of the of the not the first lady's office, but the government itself and that the other government Whoever comes has to continue with this Because this is a very beautiful thing that I don't It depends on no administration, It depends on wanting to do things right and That's what we're working on. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Well, To finish, I just want to say Thank you so much for participating and for having so many shared dreams and We want to hear from you in 30 seconds. message for all of us who are present and also for all the citizens of Paraguay. Start I. To continue with this and for this I didn't finish. Teamwork, coordination, culture. If the rules are not respected, we have than to be hard on those who don't respect, for example, with the assets historical, take care of it, because that's how it has that will be our center. You should never lose their identity. But above all all this or at the beginning of all this We have to dream and pursue those dreams. dreams. That's the way. Thank you so much. Thank you very much, Mayor. To the minister Juan Carlos. Well, uh, I think we're about there. correct path. To publicly express my Congratulations to the First Lady for having gathered everything on a table of work and show us a path, like The mayor said here that this is possible and continue traveling in the same line. I believe that this is just the beginning of a recovery of the nation's capital. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. the director of K. Three 10-second sentences. One, eh We continue to observe with great interest the governance scheme led by the first lady. It seems to us that it gives us teachings and inspirations for other parts of the world. So, let's go to follow up and of course We are very interested in following it up close. Two, the president said so, The First Lady said it at the beginning, huh It's important to think about what will happen or how This continues in 2 years. In 3 years, let's imagine we've made progress a lot, but we still have a long way to go. to move forward. the governance scheme that is conceived today to give stability after the government President Santiago Peña and the action The first lady's role is going to be very... important. There's something in that too, uh international examples, but it is a an absolutely Paraguayan reflection. And my Third comment is how important take measurements with the instruments international, the new urban agenda, the urban quality of life index of UN-Habitat and perhaps other instruments that exist in the UN, that progress for that we can also go through time seeing how the investments, the actions that are being developed in an integrated way they are generating evidently that change measured through of those international standards. Thank you very much, President Lande. I would focus on the positive aspects of This experience. I think we've learned now that when there is a leader coordinating, All institutions collaborate and We are pursuing a beautiful goal, We can build great things. this path we should follow. We discovered a lesson learned, we should continue, and I would love for us to continue. along these lines and we can continue building great things we want for our country. Many thanks to all the panelists And I'm left with two things. I think it's very important to be able to shield this process of transformation, a cultural revolution historical that is inevitable, that We owe it to the capital of Asunción and that It has to transcend governments and public administrations. And I stay with this. We need to rebuild the the true heart of Asunción, which is the historic center. Thank you so much. We invite you to the minister and our panelists position yourself for an official photo of this moment, recording participation in this panel with representatives of institutions that drive this transformation in Assumption. An official photo, please. And we thank you in advance for your moderation. the minister of culture, Adriana Ortiz, to Our panelists, the mayor of Asunción, Mr. Luis Bello, the engineer Juan Carlos Baruja, minister of urban planning, housing and habitat, to Mr. Elquim Velázquez, director regional UN-Habitat and the engineer Miguel Váez, president of the National Electricity Administration. This is how we carry out this second panel. We're getting ready for the next one, taking into account that the big The challenges facing Asunción are not exclusively from this city. Throughout Latin America, cities with enormous historical wealth, They have had to find new ways of to preserve their heritage and at the same time time to recover inhabitants, activity economics and public space. Today we have the opportunity to learn directly some of those big ones experiences. from sister countries, neighboring countries. So for this next panel, the panel number three called international experiences in the revitalization of centers historical, Latin American models, We will be welcoming the following role models, but already thanking the accompaniment of the nation's first lady in this tomorrow, today, also presiding over the commission Asunción 500 years and to the authorities who were with us. Now, everything is ready for the next one. panel. International experiences in the revitalization of historic centers Latin American models. We now receive references that will help us contribute management experience and urban transformation in different cities and areas of our region. We invite you to Mr. Amilcar Guillén, director of the Strategic Projects Management of Ministry of Public Works and Communications. Go ahead, director. I also invite our panelists From Peru we welcome Luis Martín Bogdanovic Mendoza, manager of planning, management and recovery of the Historic Center of Lima, ProLima. Thank you Luis for joining us. Also From Panama we received Á Zambrano, Director of the Office of the Historic Center Former Ministry of Culture Panama, which is also with us. Go ahead, Amber. Thanks for join us. From Ecuador we welcome Fernando Carrión Mena, president of the Latin American and Caribbean Organization Caribbean of Historical Centers. Territorial Development Projects of CAF. Welcome to Asunción for all. Thank you for joining us. Ailcar, you I give the floor. Thank you so much. Uh, good morning to all. Very happy to be starting This large panel after what we happened. The truth is very All the talks and messages were interesting. that they were giving us in what is the within the framework of this forum 500 years. And in this panel, we looked a little bit bring international experiences regarding the revitalization of centers historical. Uh, the table is built-in. by several experts from several cities who have their experiences, their organizations that have been doing a effort at the level of or throughout Latin America in its power to transform each of these centers. And well, the The goal of this is partly to be able to Listen to the experience, eh and knowledge of each of the panelists regarding these projects that he had to participate in at the level institutional and good and like that in one way or another we could also reflect it or bring it into the experience of what we are working on within the framework of the revitalization of the Center Historical site of Asunción and of course in within the framework of the 500th anniversary of Asunción. Uh, I want to start with Luis Martín Bodanich. He is a planning manager and management and recovery of the Center Historic Lima, better known as eh Pro Lima. Uh, and we'd like a little bit of In fact, we were talking there in the anteroom and He was telling us a little about his experience, eh of how Lima was structured, ago How many years have you been working, uh how They were in one way or another too building that institutional framework, TRUE? in order to be able to hold in the all these challenges, these investment efforts required by management of historic centers. So, Luis, I'll leave you a little bit... word for you to comment to the public of panel that experience. Good morning everyone. I want to start Thank you for the invitation And let's start with a little history. The first organ of the first municipal body that thought that It was important identify the cultural heritage of Lima for its preservation was a board deliberative body created in 1961 and which was in effect until 1964. Deliberative board of monuments historical, artistic and sites archaeological sites of Metropolitan Lima. Unfortunately, this board The deliberative body was dissolved precisely because of the lack of vision and transcendence Oh, that's good, they've pointed it out. No. there where meaning begins historic center that has a value universal and regional undoubtedly important. eh architectural elements that were being added to this historic urban landscape without any kind of consideration nor sensitivity. In 1991, part of the historic center of Lima, previously declared and delimited in the year 72 as cultural heritage of the nation, is registered on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site and in the year 94 Pro Lima is created as an organ of temporary nature, a municipal program for the recovery of the center historical, which in my opinion I did not understand that the management of an urban area is not something finite, it's not something that starts and I finished. It's not just about recover the heritage, otherwise it's about to manage it. So, tested in 19, but with the full consciousness could no longer be a program, but it was meant to be an organ of line, a permanent body. law that creates a special regime for the restoration of the historic center of Lima, which is primarily based on to establish a planning body, management and recovery created by law attached to the municipality. generate permanent resources for the restoration, that is, for the implementation of the master plan that we had previously approved and generated tax benefits for investment private. And there I stay. Excellent. Thank you very much, Luis. Leave now to Zambrano. She is the director office of the historic center of Ministry of Culture of Panama. I personally had the opportunity to to know the revitalization of the damn thing Panama. It's truly beautiful and experience, everything they achieved also transform. He told us also ahead Sala that not only It was the enhancement of the infrastructure in 100 in the core, but that it's all a job of diverting, Let's say, the major avenues that They crossed through the center and reversed infrastructure, which in one way or another think of the helmet in its essence and in that tourist attraction, uh, that it has like those of us who had the opportunity to to know the hell out of Panama. So Um, we'd like to know a little bit about you experience and thank you for your presence the nation's first lady in this panel. We were discussing the first lady... I begin the Prolima experience, TRUE? As if through the institutional framework they come working for over decades in this transformation process. And well, I followed that up, we moved on to the A bit of an experience, huh, from Panama, that I mentioned to them that I also I personally had the opportunity to to be able to meet him and that we don't and that we I would like to understand a little bit above all else. and to know how to do more than just investment that the State can make in the transformation of the infrastructure, how to attract that capital investment private and so much dynamism that is seen in This historic center of Panama. So Go ahead, Amar. Good morning. Thanks a lot. eh a the entire government team, ma'am First Lady, thank you for having us here today here in this forum, as I was talking with all my colleagues panelists, it is of great importance that You are gathered here today Looking ahead with a long-term perspective, what It's going to be... the visual... what's going to happen with Asunción, with its historic center, with the 500 years. Uh, they might think of We're starting a little earlier, eh, It will still take a couple of years, but the plans for the management of the historic centers for cities in In general, we need to start thinking much earlier to be able to see results over time. with We, for example, in the center We had a historic moment in Panama [snort] We already have a 30-year history since that we began to implement policies cultural conservation and restoration for our center historical. We in 1997, since we were cataloged [snort] as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, We began to make laws that would protect and They will take care of our cultural heritage, our historic center. Subsequently, this and this cataloging as heritage global leads us to search precisely that protection also legal and We started this fight. I I say this because, uh, at the beginning we had a historic center severely affected with a major security crisis and in total abandonment, almost all properties privately owned and we had to find a way to incentivize that private investor who wanted restore their properties in the center historical. We have begun to implement the law of tax incentives for the private investor, not only for real estate purchases, restoration, but also for all activity commercial so they could have tax credits and in this way to begin to act and give eh that The wheel will begin to turn. But this The wheel does not spin on its own. He is the investor He also needs to feel that support because part of the State. We had an investment important for the year and for the year 20104. 500 million balboas were invested in order to fully determine the viability of that crossed the historic center of Old town and Panama City This way, having different visuals. It was cobbled, it was paved We cannot remain only in the investment. It's no use having such infrastructure if the center History has no life if it is not... manage cultural plans so that there is one so that there are residents, merchants. In the historic center We can have a lot of tourists and we have knowing how to safeguard and care also our historic centers with that tourism which can often be quite uh difficult, difficult to manipulate. Uh, and We need to create regulations, not just... We can marry them, but we cannot divorce them. It must always be hand in hand with the historic center office, the old town office, which is the one that I have the pleasure of directing. We are a management office that we run interinstitutionally uh everything that happens inside the center historical, not only in one part of the State, but to have that approach with the residents, with the merchants, even with the social classes security. Uh, I can also expand on that. a little bit that inside the office of We have a board of directors that It helps us to manage all the activities that we have within the old town and have that support from everyone the entities, all the all the actors that are inside the center historical and able to transmit all that logistics, all that investment to end users who are tourists, residents and merchants. Excellent. A question on the matter. You were talking about an investment level of 500, were those American dollars or US dollars? Okay. 500 million. And how long will it take? was that the level of Was that a project that lasted 4 years? It was a difficult four years for everyone. residents and business owners, why not? It's easy to get up, he got up all the infrastructure, all the streets to be able to expand the whole sewerage, the network of sewage system, sanitary network, uh, power bury all the infrastructure electrical and communications. This was over 10 years ago and to this day Today we are launching a project again in order to expand the networks of communications that at that time did not were as advanced as on the day of today. Uh, the historic center can't be We need to establish regulations to meet. in order to preserve it, but neither do we We can stay in time, that's what it is something very important. You have to be in constant review of regulations to be at the forefront as well. Excellent. Thank you very much, Á. Very Everything you told us was interesting. Uh, I'm going to Fernando Carrión Mena now. He is the president of the Organization Latin American and Caribbean Centers Historical. Uh, I don't know if since Paraguay is already associated with this organization. I don't know, at least. I don't think the Public Prosecutor's Office does. Hey, But we would like to get to know a little bit, Well, uh, what are they working on at Regarding how as an organization, how eventually, if none of the organizations in Paraguay are still associates. They can be linked and good and and the benefits it could bring eventually this this work set. Okay, thank you very much. First, a Warm greetings to everyone here gifts and my gratitude for having me invited to participate in this important forum on historic centers, in particularly regarding the one in Asunción. Um, to try and answer the question, I want to make three comments to the interesting, important exhibition that the nation's first lady did to Start this forum. One first, She stated that the issue of the centers Historical is a city issue and I I absolutely agree with that. And here I think it's worth pointing out the minus two things. One, every city is historical. Every city is historic and everything within the city It is also historic. In other words, transport, housing, the peripheries and the historic centers are historic. AND Why am I making this clarification about the Are historic centers historic? Because they are generally perceived as the oldest places and that's not history. Historical. It's all that changes. When we define something historical It's because it has its origin, it has its development and may have its end. The historic centers are in that consideration. The same way, what are now the centers historical foundations, in their origin It was the whole city. That's a very important thing. By that? Because that whole city began to change and began to become a centrality. That means it started to specialize And that is a very important issue. that process of specialization in general in Latin America began in the late of the 19th century and was consolidated in the 20th century XX. And that means there isn't a not only the historic center, but there is several historical centers. a center historical, the foundational one of which We are talking today about a center business history or the Central Business District that defined the school of Chicago, which is basically the center of the industrial development that produced even metropolitan areas and today Today we are having a new centrality that is that of the globalization. If we don't understand that these exist three historic centers, we're not going to understand how the new centers Historical figures tend to compete with the previous historical centers, with the older ones, with the oldest ones, and they go producing quite negative effects. Second, second thing, The first lady also spoke to us about the need of the people, of the population. And this is fundamental because from the studies I have done and finished to release a book in March on the historical value of historical centers, that's when I realized that all the historic centers Founding communities are losing population. I have seen in the case of the center Asunción's historic center is losing population. Perhaps the most The one in my city is interesting, the city ​​of Quito. Quito had in the year 2000 55,000 inhabitants. Today it has less than half. What does this mean? It means that society is losing ground. Secondly, it is losing time. Because? Because the center historic Quito And that's extremely complicated because that This means that the historic center is He is dying. Because? Because not anymore He has 24 hours, otherwise he has half. of the 24 hours of a day and no longer has the amount of population that had. Today it has less than half. In other words, the case of Quito, which That's what I've maintained, it's It's dying of success. Because? Because It is the first cultural heritage of the humanity. Because? Because it has the monuments in good condition, but People are leaving. And the third I found that idea very interesting. also from the first lady's perspective is that He spoke of the need for a project for each of the historic centers. I think that idea of ​​building a house, to build a cultural center, to build a museum, etc., because here, this way, this way, looking Funding for that has to happen to the background. I think so The fundamental thing we have to do is define what type of historic center We want a foundational approach, as they have said, so that it lasts for the next 100 years. Excellent, Fernando, thank you very much. that The question remained, and if so... Paraguay is a partner of the organization eh eh from you. I can hear you, I can hear you very badly. Yes, yes. If Paraguay is part of the association also of yours and how could eventually be part If it can help, if you can talk there closer. We have to, we have to Okay. If Paraguay is part of it of the organization or if eventually to be part of what one requires of the organization of historical centers. What I generally believe is that the cities in Latin America are completely different to those we had at the end of the century past, but totally different. By For example, the reform of the State in two in twos, in twos, in two perspectives. the one, the popular election of mayors. Of From what I understand, you choose From the year 91 the mayors. That It's a change, but a substantial one. They changed also from the name of the city. But not only that, the entrance of the Technology has created hybrid cities which has two types of space, the virtual space and material space. Uh, there's also a substantial change in the in the economy. If before the The economy was fundamentally linked to industry, today the economy is the digital economy. And then all these changes that we have lived in these last 35, 40 years, it which has led to us living in a a completely different city. If this That's right, and according to what we discussed at the beginning of the historic center is part of the city, if the city It changed, the historic center changed and So that forces us to rethink the ways of acting that we have on each of our historic centers, because the historic centers are changing. And this is very interesting. because we cannot propose, on the one hand, innovation in one city and on the other freeze history. Because? because that causes ruptures in the relationship of a space with respect to the other. Excellent. Thank you very much, Fernando. Go Now to another Fernando, Fernando Peñarrera. He is a project manager territorial development of the Bank of Development of Latin America and the Caribbean CAF. Hey, Fernando, the truth is that every one of them then explained his experience from the institutions that come working, but many of the ideas eh They are difficult to materialize if not We have the resources. So I think that you as a bank, uh, have a lot experience in how to finance these types of projects and how they are structured primarily the governments subnationals, let's say, in each of these project stages and comment a little bit of the CAFA experience to respect, please. Yes, thank you very much. Good morning with all. First, thank you for the invitation. from the First Lady's office for share this panel. I would start saying that CAF has a lot experience working with cities and obviously from cities with centers historical. Uh, an important milestone, in In 2022, CAF achieved a capitalization and one of the three axes of That capitalization was the work with subnational, but working with subnational understood as the work in territory with territories, comprehensive interventions planned, orchestrated interventions that enable, let's say, the progress of subnationals and we understand that there are an undeniable relationship between the different levels of government, right? The interventions in these centers Historically, I believe they have a Their virtue is that they can bring together a a large number of actors who are starting out from the perspective of national interests, the city ​​interests and also the private interests. Uh, there we focus more on what it has that have to do with historical centers. Obviously, conservation and revitalization of the same is relevant, it is important, it is priority, but it has multiple challenges. I think Fernando has We've presented some and we're going to listen many panelists who will be presenting several. Uh, before I was at CAV, I I worked at the drinking water company of my city of Quito. And in the center Historical view of Quito, in the year 2000 We had to create a whole network of deep drainage in tunnels, collectors in tunnels, because the drainage issue is already It was unsustainable. Quito is crisscrossed through 33 ravines that are all covered, enuled. Clear. And the effects from building flooding patrimonial and in the dynamics of The center were important. Or by For example, when replacing networks we find sewer pipes from more 100-year-old clay pipes Vitrified like Texas, isn't it? That already in This point, then, is, let's say, obsolete. and that when passing any machine The paving machine was going to pass by, which was going to What happened was that they were going to end up breaking. So there are many challenges, But the important thing is that there is one. decision. In other words, I agree that the interventions in the historic center They start, they never finish because like They said, the historic center is going to It's varying, it's going to change, it's dynamic and the decision to start like the one that has taken Asunción at the head of the first Lady is key. I wanted to share with you some experiences we've had recent. Uh, CAF has a lot of action in Brazil, we currently have almost 40 financing projects in Brazil currently underway with cities. For example, the center the Camaari remilitarization program, in the historic center of Camaarí, which It is in the state of Bahia, where it He worked on the whole issue of squares and streets. complete, where the street is a space public, has a vision of space public, not just for cars nor much less, but it actually becomes because in historic centers the Streets become public space and The squares, right? There are no large areas of recreation, there are no large areas of parks. For example, in Puerto Alegre, where the relationship was reconnected A city with its Lake Guaibán, right? Because often cities too We grow up with our backs to the rivers and Backs to the lakes, right? In many In some cases, rivers are considered sewers. No? In other words, it's like people are They tend to be contaminated and The truth is that those are spaces important for cities and also even the transformation reached Iconic buildings, aren't they? They currently receive almost 100,000 visitors on weekends, for For example, in the area of ​​Puerto Alegre in Fortress, where these days he is signing the fifth credit agreement with the city. We've already had five interventions. In one of them, worked with the centers of historical, especially in matters of citizen security, issues of lighting, there was even an emphasis on gender issues, because work was done also in skills training for work, for example, with emphasis on women in the tourism sector, No? So, there is a wide variety of topics that can be handled. Salt of Bahia, which I believe is one of the most emblematic, where a A great musical complex, isn't it? Where There are even schools, there are centers There are musical theaters offering them, huh? cultural that they have currently generated that in our latest Expost assessment that the operation was performed, the expense for A tourist in the historic center has increased by almost 50%, right? AND The areas surrounding the properties have been valued in more than 100%. Obviously there is the The challenge that has been mentioned must be try to balance that so that it doesn't create a Population displacement, right? But These are truly significant impacts Moving towards other areas, we are working in downtown San Salvador. We are rehabilitating a historic cinema, the cinema of freedom that is close to that great library that San has Salvador, where we are complementing the cultural offerings for the population, No? within the process of transformation that they have and in Santa Marta, this financing It's about to start, we haven't done it yet. formalized, but it has the characteristic that is financing directly to the municipality, right? In other words, the Previous ones have been guaranteed sovereign or have been financed with the national government, but this is a direct financing to the municipality where we're going to work in the center historic buildings in Santa Marta iconic buildings, undergoing renovations in the city center public services and there is one that doesn't I had it noted down, but my colleague Carolina He just arrived from Sao Paulo. We are evaluating a credit operation in Sao Paulo, in the municipality, of a esplanade where 50 years ago the crossing along one track, then it split and became disconnected two parts of the city in the center. So today the intervention that even It has a goodness because it is a concession, then there is participation private where the city contributes a portion and The dealership remains in operation and maintaining for a time and ensures the sustainability. Now, the challenge is reconnect that area that at one time It was divided by an intervention urban, right? So, I think there are many experiences that are at disposition, evidently, of everyone Asunción and the office of the first lady to talk and see which It's the model, as they say, what is the historic center we want to reach and what are the mechanisms in the which we can collaborate on. Excellent. Thank you very much, Fernando. Hey, that was very interesting what you were saying. Uh, I think that experience in the different historical centers are very important and very valid for a nascent experience, so to speak, that we have been having since the government of Paraguay, which undoubtedly The beginning of this administration has given it a a great boost to what is the revitalization of the center and that vision clear about where we want to go and Where are we headed? I mean, uh, I think That, uh, gives it a lot of value, let's say, to all the efforts that are doing, not only from management public, but also of management private. And there too, recognize without Undoubtedly, the first lady's leadership in all of this. From the beginning, the management... His office has been working on and focusing on the interventions and not only at the infrastructure level, TRUE? but also driving often things are as they are intangibles that, well, sometimes... necessarily, or I believe that they are demonstrating that not necessarily with one can specific budgets to generate big impacts, right? Because of all that great coordination, Right? It happens on weekends. with Palma Brilla. Uh, they were big on us. investments like we hope we can have like Panama's $500 million to be able to see one shine again historic center. I mean, and that demonstrates in some other way as well that often with small actions or procedures can also be carried out Big impacts, right? And there is one great articulation of the office of the First Lady to the Nation with the Sector private, right?, who also joined, Let's say, this vision, right?, of to be able to value and well, obviously we from the Ministry of Public Affairs that We're getting there with the infrastructure, which is what in some other way they set the stage, so to speak, for that the public can contemplate and Enjoy all this space. But I want to go back to Luis, right? Shortly after this reflection and to be able to understand that beyond, let's say, these great efforts and I believe that Today there is a clear vision of what is He wants, at least in the center Historical site of Asunción, uh, how do we do it? that these last over time, TRUE? Because governments last 5 years, right? the municipal ones or also the same national and international governments problem experience, how do we do it that this is sustained and doesn't just become a momentum that I know is being given, Let's say, only this government. I think it's essential to have one vision, a plan, and full awareness of that what one does It must be thought about transcendently. And I would like to connect this that I am saying with the words he mentioned the president at the beginning. This is what one does for a city or a nation must transcend to the people who do it. And I think that's what sets it apart. the great nations of the small ones nations, or in this case, the great cities of small towns. In our case, When it was my turn to take over in 1916, We had a master plan that It had expired in 2008, it had passed in the year 2000, in the year 98. Specific plans in Peru They are only valid for 10 years. uh in order to lead the center and uh We started working on a plan in the year 16, a plan that was approved in 19 and that remains in force. He has a vision for the year 35, which will be the 500th anniversary of the founding of Lima. And I think this is fundamental, the planning. Nothing for the future can be built without planning. And planning doesn't It must depend on an individual, it must should not depend on any government. depend on a city. It has to be a approved instrument and knowing the reality of each place with the padlocks necessary so that it cannot be varied by no one. In our case, uh, our The Master Plan was approved by the Council Metropolitan Councilors, as This corresponds to Peruvian legislation. with the binding favorable opinion of Ministry of Culture and the Center of UNESCO World Heritage Site. And how I've always said, if a mayor, the municipal governments in Peru the pilgrim was only 4 years old idea of ​​changing the master plan of historic center of Lima, probably He would have to invest 3 out of his 4 years years to be able to do it. That's what I would recommend. plan, depersonalize, [clears throat] eh to strengthen the management body, because plans that don't have a technical team that can do what Implementing and carrying out is a lot of papers filed on a shelf and and put enough locks on it to that no one can do anything different anymore to continue. Excellent. Thank you very much, Luis. And in that with the same sense of sustainability I will I loved and wanted to know the experience of They know how to involve new people generations in this process of sustainability and leaving, let's say, also Like the post, the following generations or the following ones administrations so that they too can go sustaining this great over time effort and this great vision of revitalization. Yes, sorry. Yes, what I was saying is if can you share your experience a little Tell us also how we do it to give sustainability to these large investments and this grand vision of reconversion of the historic center and how We do to leave the posts to subsequent generations or following administrations throughout this process of revitalization of historic centers because of the experience of South Panama. Well, I, like my buddy, I think the plans should be managed with high beams. It can't be done, there has to be a plan. governance, a governance plan that is manage and ensure there is staff committed to being able to fulfill it. Organizations that can also attest that these plans, that all of these These regulations are managed by the correct way. There has to be trained personnel to be able to to care for, manage, and that it really is be passionate. I say there has to be a A little bit of passion too. uh have uh that love, that feeling, that, uh, all that value assets that one has and wants guard it. One has to to involve, we need to involve residents' associations, associations of merchants, eh companies, eh public-private partnerships that They really want them to have the same vision of safeguarding that heritage. All the plans, as I mentioned, The plans or manuals may remain as such they can be renewed, they can to have new new visions and can adapt eh to the to all the eh to all these new technologies and Furthermore, there always has to be someone to guard and who really want to guarantee that these plans are managed and fulfill your promises, don't stay behind, don't be selfish, and to think that one assumption and the projects, what reflections or messages can't give a little here to all Paraguayans have breasts. Well, I think that to do anything intervention from the public sector in in society, in the city, we have to... Try to answer three questions. The first is who does it. And here I am It seems there are some very interesting things. Because what we've heard is that there are a concertation of different institutions, there are agreements, there are consensus, but it seems to me that the step What needs to be done there is to build a specific institution that I am in charge of the Historic Center Founding of Asunción. The first The question is, who? And here too see What is the management model that is They have to do it, and I think they should go. in line with public cooperation private. In second place, The second question is, what to do? AND So I think what needs to be done here is social policy. Because? Because we are seeing that demographically We are losing population, because We are losing people from the The elderly and young people are leaving. Because? Because women They have many problems in the historical centers in matters of violence and other things. Politics, second place, economic policy. We need to attract capital, but not That's all, we need to have a budget. That budget has to originate, for example, from the rates of property taxes. Because? Because we can establish, there are a property tax policy for that these functions come, so that they don't come these other functions coming up and lowering taxes. The same goes for the rates. Thirdly, and this is without fundamental doubt, urban policy in that In that sense, it has to be within the city ​​plans for the centers historical and the [snort] proposals of the historic centers has to to be involved in city policies. Because? Because a historic center As such, a center is a relationship that It is established from one space to another and That usually happens with spaces. surrounding areas, the spaces of influence of that centrality. Uh, fourthly, we need to have A cultural policy is fundamental. And the last question, the how, that is, who, what, and how. The how, what is the as? I think the issue here is primarily planning and has that it be a plan where there is participation of the different subjects assets involved in a historic center. And that planning It has to be from the perspective of historic center project that we want to search. I would say those three. These questions are absolutely key to Let's see what we want to do. Excellent. Thank you very much, Fernando. AND As a closing, I'm going to do the following for Fernando: CAF. I'm going to ask you two questions in one. because I think both questions are Very good, and it will also be useful to the experience, eh, of what we are driving, let's say, from the government from Paraguay with the different approaches also of recommendation other centers and one of them is a bit like this experience of Banco Más already of To finance infrastructure, right? that I think we're very clear on that. today with the manual that was in fact presented a little of the expectation of what that we want it to be the level of infrastructure of our spaces public spaces in the historic center and by why not think about the whole city of Assumption. Uh, but beyond that, what experiences the bank has in its possession to sustain and finance these types of projects or what types of projects that go beyond the infrastructure that You can tell us and how eventually we could create some opportunity also in Paraguay to be able to promote actions similar to other centers that they are supporting? And the second one a point that is no less important time, because otherwise the infrastructure is lost. That is to say, As Fernando said, if at 7 o'clock At night the historic center goes dark, because Well, from 7 onwards others will occupy, right? So there is that space to co-opt it and make people appropriate. In other words, the historic center. I I am from Quito, although I live in Panama and I also know the old town very well. And now that my children are teenagers, I'll get to know them better, I'm sure. Uh, there's a This is an important topic; it's part of the our identity, that is, I feel the identity of my city and my country and the people feel connected to the historic center and sometimes we say, "I "I'm going to the historic center." It's like if I were going to another city. AND They remain disconnected. That's why I put the Sao Paulo example, the connection of city ​​center not to be missed because it's part of the city. So, as examples also for to mention them, look, uh, for example, in Camasari we work with strengthening the planning model urban, right? And the topic of economics popular, which is a major milestone in the historic center where the economy informal, informal sales, well They occupy public spaces, don't they? That We were also able to work on it in Puerto Cheerful, where spaces were seen regularization for all that uh informal economy and today, for example, They bill 47 because they do it, because It's important to see The daily grind is going to kill us, isn't it? The day It consumes us every day. to start thinking about see how to generate more resources, how generate incentives. It can be more It's expensive not to give an incentive. tax system that after a few years having to rebuild an infrastructure which was made at the time and which by For some reason, it had a bad occupation. So, that's a super important axis. to identify options financing options private participation, such as we mentioned in Brazil. In fact, that There are several concession schemes that are They operate where, in a way, one already... rest, and at the end of the balance it is more economic to have made that scheme that to have remained in the public sector itself operating and maintaining a space that already He was rehabilitated. I think those those Examples are valuable and we can to delve deeper to analyze what it might be a good balance option for There is also economic dynamism, but not all the fiscal burden should fall about the government or about the municipalities. Excellent. Well, thank you very much. Many Thank you to each of the panelists. The It was all very interesting, indeed. comments they made to us. Uh, don't me I'm left with certain key ideas, one of which power of problem of being able to build that institutionality, to see, I don't know, the laws that may eventually be required, Let's say, the city in order to sustain in time in this great effort that It has been carried out by the government of Paraguay, so that it can finally revitalize the historic center. Hey, also to build human capital who leads that process, right? What was Áo telling us, and from your side, how, Fernando, also work occasionally with the bank in other strategies that go far beyond the infrastructure, such as the issue of orange economy, right? So, uh We find that very interesting and Maybe it's a leg that we have to start exploring it and see how working there with the minister of culture, I see her there very enthusiastic with the idea. So, well, many Thank you all, and thank you to everyone. present. Applause, please. We ask you to join us for a official photograph of this moment each of our panelists. We take an official photo of this moment And again, thank you for the moderation. from this panel to Mr. Amilcar Guillén, Director of the Project Management Department Strategic projects of the Ministry of Public Works Public and Communications, to the international panelists who we Luis visited today from Peru. Martín Bogdanovic Mendoza, manager of planning, management and recovery of the Historic Center of Lima. From Panama, Ambar Zambrano, director of the Ministry's Old Town Office of Culture of Panama. From Ecuador, Fernando Carrión Mena, president of the Latin American and Caribbean Organization Caribbean of Historic Centers and Fernando Peña Herrera, project director of CAF territorial development, Bank Latin American Development and the Caribbean. Thanks to them for being part of This very important panel, models Latin Americans, to begin with replicate in our capital city. Okay, next we're going to invite to the networking lunch so that can enjoy it. One moment relaxed where we will continue strengthening this articulation between the public and private sector and authorities who accompany us. Thank you in advance. to the nation's first lady for join us throughout this morning and for presiding over the Asunción 500 commission years. Before I leave, I want to reiterate this special invitation from National Secretariat of Culture. During This schedule will allow them to participate in Heritage in Process, a brief experience with the team of restoration of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage. The visit will allow to see the murals of the Center Cultural del Puerto, down here, here the same, currently, that is in process recovery.