Central American Integration System

Central American Integration System Latest News

Recently, India and the Central American Integration System (SICA) held a virtual dialogue to strengthen bilateral cooperation and deepen engagement across key sectors.        

About Central American Integration System

• It is the institutional framework of Regional Integration in Central America.
• Background: It was established on December 13, 1991, by the signing of the Protocol to the Charter of the Organization of Central American States (ODECA) or Tegucigalpa Protocol, which amended the Charter of ODECA, signed in Panama on December 12, 1962, and formally came into operation on February 1, 1993.
• It was created by the States of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Subsequently, Belize and Dominican Republic joined as full members.
• The SICA initiative was widely supported by the United Nations General Assembly, with the Tegucigalpa Protocol being duly registered with the UN.
• This allows it be invoked internationally as it also allows SICA’s regional bodies and institutions to interact with the United Nations System.
• The Presidency of SICA rotates every six months.
• Secretariat: It is located in the Republic of El Salvador.

Objectives of Central American Integration System

• The fundamental objective of SICA is to realize regional Peace, Liberty, Democracy and Development, based firmly on the respect and promotion of human rights.
• The other objectives of the Group include integration of the region, formation of a Free Trade Area and later a Customs Union, integration of infrastructure, common position on regional and global issues and common passport and visa policy.

Source: DD News