ECLAC Reveals Offices Renovated Following
the Earthquake in 2010

ECLAC Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena, inaugurated the new premises of the ECLAC bulding joined by former Executive Secretaries José Antonio Ocampo, José Luis Machinea and Enrique V. Iglesias (Photo: Carlos Vera/ECLAC)

ECLAC organized various activities and invited distinguished guests to mark the reopening of the offices damaged in the earthquake that struck central Chile on 27 February 2010. The offices are located on the work floor of the emblematic building that has housed this regional commission of the United Nations since 1966.

According to ECLAC Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena, “We carried out a process of renovation and restoration on this historic building. We wanted to imbue it with a sense of the new wind of environmental sustainability blowing through the region, without changing the work of architect Emilio Duhart and the heritage it has. I thank all the colleagues who made this possible”.

This unique work by Chilean architect Duhart is known for its use of exposed concrete and contrasting volumes, as well as the combination of various references to the history of architecture and art in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The opening of the refurbished offices on 25 July coincided with the International Seminar on State and Development, which was attended by figures including the Ibero-American Secretary-General, Enrique V. Iglesias, Vice-President of Uruguay, Danilo Astori, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, José Miguel Insulza, and former Chilean President, Ricardo Lagos.

At the same time, there was an unveiling of a bust of Raúl Prebisch, former ECLAC Executive Secretary, who is considered one of the founders of this regional commission set up in 1948.

The presence of Enrique V. Iglesias, former ECLAC Executive Secretary between 1972 and 1985, was also honoured, as homage was paid to him for his contribution to the institution and the development of Latin America and the Caribbean. Also in attendance were the former Executive Secretaries of ECLAC José Antonio Ocampo (1998-2003) and José Luis Machinea (2003-2008). .