Facilitating market development across SICA

The Central American Integration System (SICA) was established in the early 1990s with the ratification of the Tegucigalpa Protocol, building on the groundwork laid by the Organization of Central American States (ODECA) formed in 1951. SICA aims to foster peace, democracy, and development in Central America and the Dominican Republic through regional integration. Member states include Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic as an associated member. SICA operates across four main pillars: political, social-cultural, economic, and sustainable resource management. Key achievements include enhancing intra-regional trade, promoting free movement through agreements like CA-4, and coordinating regional security efforts. SICA also focuses on harmonizing education systems, promoting the region as a tourist destination, and joint procurement of medications. A significant future goal is advancing the energy transition through sustainable energy initiatives, aiming to influence the regional energy market, improve rural access to sustainable energy, and promote the use of biofuels.