UN General Assembly
2020

In recent times, our region, too, has seen social outbreaks and waves of violence. Chile is no exception. Thirty years ago, with the firm will and commitment of our people, we peacefully regained our democracy and gave life to a new and modern republic based on three basic agreements: first, a deep commitment to democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights; secondly, a strong commitment to a free, open and competitive market economy; and thirdly, the firm determination to defeat poverty and promote equal opportunity. The facts show that these commitments were productive. During this period, we increased our per capita income fivefold. We reduced poverty from more than 60 per cent to less than 10 per cent, saving 8 million Chileans, more than half of our population, from the clutches of poverty. A large and diverse middle class emerged. Life expectancy increased, infant mortality decreased and the coverage, quality and access to education at all levels rose from 230,000 to 1.2 million students in higher education, most of them first generation.