Mercosur Digital Citizen” Initiative to Enhance Service Delivery and Simplify Procedures

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Inter-American Network on Digital Government  (GEALC Network) today unveiled Mercosur Digital Citizen, an initiative that will allow citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay to use their national digital ID to carry out government procedures in any of these countries, beginning with Brazil and Uruguay.

Allowing the recognition of national digital identities between countries is an important step toward simplifying processes and promoting the integration of economies and the services accessible to citizens. This integration is the result of a decades-long process that began with mutual recognition of digital signatures among these four countries and included technical preparation, diplomatic agreements and new legislation.

The governments of Brazil and Uruguay have already integrated 39 procedures in this way. Brazilian citizens can access Uruguayan services using their GOV.BR digital ID. Bolivia and Chile are working to join this mechanism for online procedures.

This initiative will make it easier to apply for licenses and permits and complete other public-sector procedures. For example, a Brazilian exporter of lighting and energy-related products will be able to apply for an energy efficiency label on the Uruguayan government website.

“The IDB is committed to advancing regional integration with inclusive economic development that makes it easier for the over 270 million citizens of these four countries to access government services. Regional recognition of digital IDs will facilitate exchanges between Mercosur countries, saving costs and time,” said Paula Acosta, Chief of the IDB Innovation for Citizens Services Division.

Mercosur Digital Citizen is part of the IDB’s Regional Public Goods (RPG) initiative for regional integration and inclusive economic development. The project was inspired by the European Union’s digital interoperability system, eIDAS, under which the 27 member countries recognize each other’s digital IDs.

This initiative was presented during the Eighth Meeting on Digital Government in the Americas organized by GEALC Network in Brasilia on November 26 and 27, 2024, in conjunction with the IDB, the Organization of Americans States and the Brazilian Ministry of Public Management and Innovation.