Brazil and PAHO formalize BIREME Headquarters Agreement

Brasília, July 31, 2026 (BIREME/PAHO/WHO) - The Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) signed the BIREME Headquarters Agreement on Friday, July 31, during a ceremony held at the Itamaraty Palace, presided over by Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, and PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. Also in attendance were the PAHO/WHO Representative in Brazil, Cristian Morales, BIREME Director João Paulo Souza, and authorities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and PAHO/WHO. The act marks a new phase in the implementation of BIREME's institutional framework, in force since 2010, strengthening its regional role as PAHO's Specialized Center for technical and scientific health information in the Americas.

PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa congratulated the Center and recognized the importance of its technical cooperation with countries across the Latin America and Caribbean Region. "BIREME is key to expanding access to, the visibility of, and the use of health information, knowledge, and evidence," he said. For BIREME Director João Paulo Souza, formalizing the Headquarters Agreement is the result of a collective effort and marks the beginning of a new phase for the Center. "This achievement was made possible through Dr. Jarbas's decisive leadership and the support of many people who contributed throughout the entire process. It is an important milestone and an excellent prelude to a new chapter for our beloved BIREME."

The Headquarters Agreement governs BIREME's institutional presence in Brazil by defining the responsibilities of the parties regarding the maintenance of the Center, as well as the conditions necessary for fulfilling its mission of contributing to health development in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean through the democratization of access to, publication of, and use of scientific information, knowledge, and evidence.

The signing fulfills a directive established by PAHO's 49th Directing Council, which approved the BIREME Statute in 2009 and recommended the formalization of a Headquarters Agreement between the Organization and the Government of Brazil. The update became necessary in light of the evolution of BIREME's institutional structure, including its new facilities in São Paulo.

Since its establishment in 1967, BIREME has served as the regional reference center for the development of cooperation initiatives in technical and scientific health information, promoting equitable access to knowledge and strengthening evidence management to support public policies and health systems throughout the Americas.

The July 31 ceremony renews the shared commitment of the Government of Brazil and PAHO to BIREME's institutional sustainability and to the continuation of its mission to support countries across the Region through the democratization of access to health information, knowledge, and scientific evidence.