Vinicio CerezoSecretary GeneralCentral American Integration System (SICA)

President of Guatemala (1986-1991)2017 - 2021

The Central American integration processis not an end in itself, is the strategic

instrument used to achieve sustainableand equitable development of our people,

to build a region of opportunities. Vinicio Cerezo

INDEXThe historic challenge of SICA countries

A new era for regional integration

Strategic vision

Strategic framework for achieving the vision

Strategic line 1. Strengthening the effectiveness of SG-SICA

Strategic line 2. Systemic institutional coordination: integrating the integration process

Strategic line 3. Relationships with Development Partners

Strategic line 4. Repositioning of SICA: living the integration process

Cross-cutting strategic line 5. Human rights and gender equality

Principles

2018 – 2021 Strategic plan: route map for the implementation of actions inspired by the strategic vision

Institutional legacy

4

8

9

12

13

13

14

15

16

17

18

18

4

Central America is a social construction that blurs borders to grow and build the common, a heritage that has always been present in the ideology of the population and the States themselves. Currently, when talking about the Central American Integration System (SICA) within the framework of the institutionality of the integration process and from its community perspective, we are facing a re-signification that goes beyond a geographical element, and for this reason the System is now integrated by Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic, who make up, according to the Tegucigalpa Protocol, an economic-political community that aspires the integration.

The countries that comprise SICA are located in a region of enormous potential for world trade, in an environment characterized by a diversity of ecosystems, natural resources, and historical- cultural heritage; all of which represent a great opportunity for tourism, connectivity, multimodal logistics, the production of clean energy, a land whose wealth goes beyond its economic potential, and is also reflected in its ethnic and cultural diversity. The region has conditions to provide better opportunities for the development of the people.

With a population of 58.2 million inhabitants (2017) and a GDP of approximately US$315 billions (2016), the region has been ranked in 2016 as the sixth among Latin American economies and it concentrates a huge consumer market, whose productive apparatus has been diversified and made progress in its insertion into the global economy. Within this context, the integration process promoted since the middle of the previous century has been responsible for the expansion of intraregional trade, which has reached a third of total exports, a figure fairly close to the weight of exports to the United States, the main trading partner.

This notable progress has been possible thanks to the Esquipulas Agreements [es. Acuerdos de Esquipulas] which enabled the peace processes in the nineties. Esquipulas I (1986) and Esquipulas II (1987) became true milestones that contributed to making the strategic actors of the Central American region to take on the commitment of initiating the fulfillment of the peace agreements, promoting a democratic transition, and reactivating the Regional integration process. The establishment of the processes generated from Esquipulas I and II laid the foundations for peace with development and social justice, as well as greater economic cooperation and a mechanism for the peaceful resolution of armed conflicts.

This scenario demanded that in 1991 the Protocol of Tegucigalpa be subscribed to the ODECA Charter to give life to the Central American Integration System (SICA), which was raised with a communitarian vision, to constitute it as a region of Peace, Freedom, Democracy and Development.

Simultaneously with the institutional strengthening of Central American integration, as embodied by the creation of the SICA, the Meeting of Presidents signed the Alliance for Sustainable Development (ALIDES, for its Spanish initials) in 1994, which is a regional strategy to coordinate and reach agreements on interests, development initiatives, responsibilities, and the harmonization of rights. ALIDES set out to position sustainable development as the central strategy and policy of the States and of the region as a whole.

With the pacification of Central America, the creation of SICA, the signing of ALIDES, and the establishment of the Priority Pillars of the integration process (2010), the region now possesses an institutional and legal framework with principles for the undertaking of regional actions that promote sustainable development.

The historic challenge of SICA countries

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In 2021 the majority of countries in the region commemorate the Bicentenary, and SICA also reaches 30 years of existence. These are two important milestones that match up with the mandate for which I have been appointed by the Presidents.Our historic challenge, facing the Bicentenary and three decades away of the new phase of Central American integration, consists of perfecting a system that contributes more significantly to the construction of a region of opportunities.

Inequality is a major challenge in SICA countries, and it has remained so even during periods of economic growth. Although income inequality has been reduced, thanks to the fact that the countries of the region prioritized social development objectives, high levels of inequality do still persist, which hinder social development and limit the eradication of poverty and the exercise of rights.On the other hand, the formula for inclusive and sustainable growth required by the region also involves promoting an advantageous insertion into the international economy, where the development of the Customs Union [es. Unión Aduanera] continues to be a viable option for strengthening trade integration.

In addition, it is important to highlight that the SICA was conceived as a multidimensional process, with a much more complex and ambitious development vision that includes elements and dimensions that promote human development in coherence with the care and protection of the planet, to guarantee a sustainable development. Currently the SICA promotes a multidimensional process that shuns the defect of economism that prevailed during the first period of the integration, and that is why it includes in its agenda social aspects, of gender, health, energy, water, tourism, migration, environment, security, climate change, rural development, education, culture, MSMEs, all these areas encompassed within the five Priority Pillars of integration.

The multidimensional character represents the commitment to human development and growth in accordance with the care of the planet. SICA has been able to create a regional policy agenda around

In addition to complying with

Esqu

ipul

as P

ea

ce Accords (1986-1987) Tegucigalpa Protocol (1991) General Treaty on Economic Integration (1993)

Framew

ork Treaty on Dem

ocratic Security in Central America (1995) Treaty on Social Integratio

n (199

5)

Socialintegration

Institutionalstrengthening

Democraticsecurity

Economicintegration

Climate Change andComprehensive

Risk Management

Respect for life in allits manifestations

The improvement ofhuman quality

Respect for and use of thevitality and diversity of the

earth in a sustainable manner

The achievement of greater degrees ofeconomic integration among the countriesof the region and between the countries

with the rest of the world

Respect for multiculturalism andethnic diversity in the region

The promotion of peace anddemocracy as basic forms of

human coexistence

Intergenerationalresponsibility with

sustainable development

7Fundamental principlesof ALIDES Alliance for Sustainable

Development (1994)

5Pillars of Central

AmericanIntegration

(2010)

Sustainable DevelopmentGoals SDGs (2015)

2030Agenda

the five Pillars, demonstrating the usefulness of the integration as a development tool for our countries. Making it clear that there is no point in increasing the GDP if it does not come with social policies that promote the wellbeing of the population and therefore the reduction of poverty and inequalities.

In order to address the region’s challenges, it is necessary to promote a reflection on the sustainable development that must be launched in order to overcome the main socioeconomic gaps, taking into account the areas and objectives established in ALIDES, in accordance with what is set forth in the Priority Pillars of integration, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the SICA Prioritized Strategic Agenda. Based on this reflection, development agendas based on policies committed to equality, inclusion, participation, sustained growth and long-term environmental sustainability can be derived.

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Relevant historical events while we were constructing the integration process

Milestones of integration

1953 Discovery of double helix structure of DNA molecule.1957 Signing of the Rome Treaty. Foundations are laid for a closer union among European countries.1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly.

Products of the signing of the Charter of San Salvador.

Organization of theCentral American States(ODECA)

1951

50s

It gives rise to SICA, as a new legal-political framework for all levels and areas of Central American integration.

Constituted by: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama

Tegucigalpa Protocol

1991

Formulation of theCentral American Economic

Action Plan (PAECA)

1990

General Treaty ofCentral AmericanEconomic Integration

1960

Amendment to theCharter of the ODECA

1962

Demobilization of the resistancein Nicaragua Reading of the"Sapoá Agreement"

1990

Framework Treaty onDemocratic Security

It is based on democracy, as well as on the strengthening of its institutions and the rule of law.

1995Election of the firstwoman as SICASecretary General

2014Incorporation of the

Dominican Republic into SICA

2013

First election of a former President as SICA Secretary General.

2017

The States commit themselves to achieve Central American economic unity, in a voluntary, gradual, complementary, and progressive manner.

Protocol to the General Treaty ofCentral American Economic Integration

1993

It organizes, regulates, and structures the SICA social subsystem.

Framework Treatyon Social Integration

1995The Heads of State and Government of SICA identified the 5 priority pillars for the region.

Re-launch of CentralAmerican Integration

2010

After 36 years of internal armed conflict, the peace accords were finalized on December 29, 1996.

Signing of the Peacein Guatemala

1996

Regional Security Summit. Approval of the ESCA.

Joint actions fordemocratic security

2011

Incorporation ofBelize into SICA

2000

Signature of the ChapultepecPeace Accords of El Salvador

1992

1967 Miguel Ángel Asturias receives the Literature Nobel Prize.1962-1963 First free elections in Dominican Republic.1963 The historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom takes place gathering more than 200 thousand people.1969 Space exploration puts the first men on the moon surface.

60s 1976 The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights came into force.1977 Signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties to turn over the Panama Canal.The feminist movements of the seventies marked the beginning of the II Feminist Wave also called contemporary feminism.

70s 1981 September 21 is established as World Peace Day.1987 Oscar Arias former president of Costa Rica received the Peace Nobel Prize.1988 End of the Chilean dictatorship.1989 Unification of Germany.

80s 1992 Signing of the Maastricht Treaty or European Union Treaty.1992 Rigoberta Menchú receives the Peace Nobel Prize.1994 Adoption of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women, “Belém Do Pará Convention”1997 The Kyoto Protocol is agreed.1997 Incorporation of Dominican Republic to ALIDESExtraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.1998 First designation of Dominican Republic to PARLACEN.

90s The majority of countries in the world live in democracy.2000 Signing of the Millennium Declaration that led to the eight Millennium Goals.2002 Euro was put in circulation as the new European currency.2015 The countries adopt the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda with 17 objectives.2015 Cop21 takes place.

2000s

economic development and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Alliance forSustainable Development(ALIDES)

1994

Through them, the countries fully assume the historic challenge of forging a destiny of firm and long-lasting peace for Central America.

Peace Accords in Central America.Esquipulas I and II

1986 1987

Reading of the "Sapoá Agreement" by Ambassador Joao Baena Soares, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS)Sapoá, Nicaragua, March 23, 1988.

Approval of the Regional GenderEquality and Equity Policy of theCentral American IntegrationSystem (PRIEG/SICA)

2013On December 14, 2013, Buenaventura, Panama.

7

Milestones of integration

1953 Discovery of double helix structure of DNA molecule.1957 Signing of the Rome Treaty. Foundations are laid for a closer union among European countries.1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly.

Products of the signing of the Charter of San Salvador.

Organization of theCentral American States(ODECA)

1951

50s

It gives rise to SICA, as a new legal-political framework for all levels and areas of Central American integration.

Constituted by: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama

Tegucigalpa Protocol

1991

Formulation of theCentral American Economic

Action Plan (PAECA)

1990

General Treaty ofCentral AmericanEconomic Integration

1960

Amendment to theCharter of the ODECA

1962

Demobilization of the resistancein Nicaragua Reading of the"Sapoá Agreement"

1990

Framework Treaty onDemocratic Security

It is based on democracy, as well as on the strengthening of its institutions and the rule of law.

1995Election of the firstwoman as SICASecretary General

2014Incorporation of the

Dominican Republic into SICA

2013

First election of a former President as SICA Secretary General.

2017

The States commit themselves to achieve Central American economic unity, in a voluntary, gradual, complementary, and progressive manner.

Protocol to the General Treaty ofCentral American Economic Integration

1993

It organizes, regulates, and structures the SICA social subsystem.

Framework Treatyon Social Integration

1995The Heads of State and Government of SICA identified the 5 priority pillars for the region.

Re-launch of CentralAmerican Integration

2010

After 36 years of internal armed conflict, the peace accords were finalized on December 29, 1996.

Signing of the Peacein Guatemala

1996

Regional Security Summit. Approval of the ESCA.

Joint actions fordemocratic security

2011

Incorporation ofBelize into SICA

2000

Signature of the ChapultepecPeace Accords of El Salvador

1992

1967 Miguel Ángel Asturias receives the Literature Nobel Prize.1962-1963 First free elections in Dominican Republic.1963 The historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom takes place gathering more than 200 thousand people.1969 Space exploration puts the first men on the moon surface.

60s 1976 The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights came into force.1977 Signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties to turn over the Panama Canal.The feminist movements of the seventies marked the beginning of the II Feminist Wave also called contemporary feminism.

70s 1981 September 21 is established as World Peace Day.1987 Oscar Arias former president of Costa Rica received the Peace Nobel Prize.1988 End of the Chilean dictatorship.1989 Unification of Germany.

80s 1992 Signing of the Maastricht Treaty or European Union Treaty.1992 Rigoberta Menchú receives the Peace Nobel Prize.1994 Adoption of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women, “Belém Do Pará Convention”1997 The Kyoto Protocol is agreed.1997 Incorporation of Dominican Republic to ALIDESExtraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.1998 First designation of Dominican Republic to PARLACEN.

90s The majority of countries in the world live in democracy.2000 Signing of the Millennium Declaration that led to the eight Millennium Goals.2002 Euro was put in circulation as the new European currency.2015 The countries adopt the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda with 17 objectives.2015 Cop21 takes place.

2000s

economic development and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Alliance forSustainable Development(ALIDES)

1994

Through them, the countries fully assume the historic challenge of forging a destiny of firm and long-lasting peace for Central America.

Peace Accords in Central America.Esquipulas I and II

1986 1987

Reading of the "Sapoá Agreement" by Ambassador Joao Baena Soares, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS)Sapoá, Nicaragua, March 23, 1988.

Approval of the Regional GenderEquality and Equity Policy of theCentral American IntegrationSystem (PRIEG/SICA)

2013On December 14, 2013, Buenaventura, Panama.

8

Regional integration has entered a new stage, which closes a period of growth of the System in terms of its size and in terms of expectations from a citizenry that is not entirely satisfied with its results. Nevertheless, there is an open reflection about the future of the integration process, which must be continued and deepened.

The opportunities and challenges of SICA demand the activation of the potential of the regional integration process in order to meet the urgent priorities of development, which demands the leadership of the SICA General Secretariat so that, within the framework of its powers, and in compliance with the mandates emanating from the decision-making bodies, in coordination with the solidary support of the development partners, it may contribute to achieving the historic aspiration of the Central American people to bring about a region of Peace, Freedom, Democracy and Development.

In order to take on this great challenge, the SG-SICA is promoting a profound review of its institutional capacities with the objective of strengthening itself and of more effectively fulfilling its institutional mission, as well as rising to the challenge demanded by this historic point in time.

SG-SICA is preparing to take on the major priorities of regional integration, highlighting the following, among others:

A new era for regional integration

To resume the vision of sustainable development of the countries of the region highlighted on ALIDES, the five integration pillars, the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. All of these within the framework of the potential of the integration process, which will become more evident once the Pioritized Strategic Agenda of SICA is adopted.

Regarding the SICA institutionality, to contribute in a better way to build a region of opportunities as an instrument for development. Likewise, it is essential to continue the process of reflection around the system and its governance.

To contribute to enhance the visibility and capitalization of SICA’s efforts, bringing integration closer to strategic players and, mainly, to the people so that they can live the integration through the benefits and results.

To strengthen the institutional spaces for the coordination of integration, by legitimizing their work with the Agencies, Member States, development partners, and the Central American population, by strengthening the intersectoral coordination processes and strategic communication.

To strengthen the citizen participation processes represented in the Consultative Committee of SICA [es. Comité Consultivo del SICA], in accordance with the provisions of the Protocol of Tegucigalpa.

To substantially increase the effectiveness of the actions of regional institutions, make SICA’s results clearly visible and tangible to the public throughout the different dimensions of integration.

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To ensure greater effectiveness of its compliance with the mandates emanated from the decision-making bodies..

To strengthen the management with the development partners through the Cooperation Management Mechanism and the strategic priorities of the region.

To contribute to the efforts follow-up within the framework of the Central American Security Strategy (ESCA), the Security Commission and the Democratic Security Director’s Office.

SICA has eight member countries, which enables a region of opportunities. In this regard, building on the competencies of the General Secretariat, we aim to take the lead in the efficient coordination and articulation of the regional institutionality to bring regional integration into another level, one that increases the possibilities for sustainable development in the region.

Strategic Vision:

TO CAPITALIZE THE REGIONAL INTEGRATION POTENTIAL AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT.

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of its land area was declareda protected or conservation area.

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75.1average life eat birth in the*Source: CEPALS

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“thanks to SICA region sustainable process, the REGIONALELECTRICITY MARKET AND THE CENTRAL AMERICANELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION SYSTEM (SIEPAC)”

of its land area was declareda protected or conservation area.

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inhabitants*Source: CEPALSTAT 2016.

*Source: CEPALSTAT 2016

75.1average life eat birth in the*Source: CEPALS

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of the land surfaceof the SICA countrieswas a forested area.

In 2014,

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years of

consolidation in Central America(Esquipulas I and II)

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Among the SICAmember countries,

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portsamong the 8 SICA countries

47

*Source: SIECA- Dominican Port Authority -Port of Belize.

airportsamong the SICA countries

29*Source: SIECA – Dominican Republic Airport Department -BelizeDeparment of Civil Aviation-Philip S.W. Goldson Intenational Airport

marine area is protectedof our22%*According to data from SIESTAD, for 2012

represents theyoung populationunder 35 years of age

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2% of the total land area and12% of the world’s biodiversity

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18sites in Central America have beendeclared UNESCOWorld Heritage

Panama Canal

Natural bridge

interconnection betweenthe two oceans

between the two Americansub-continents

Central Americaa free-trade zone

The Great Mayan Reefis the second largest of theworld

*“It borders the coasts of Belize,Guatemala and Honduras”

ne of thet regions

30 Afro-descendant groupswhich make up 18% of the SICARegion population

Indigenous peoplewhich make up the 20% ofthe Sica Region population.

63

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Strategic framework for archieving the vision

In order to achieve this vision within the framework of the Regional Strategic Agenda and to obtain the desired impacts in the Member States that comprise SICA, efforts will revolve around four major strategic lines and one cross-cutting strategic line, which will constitute the 2017- 2021 SG-SICA working framework, in accordance with its attributions set forth in the legal instruments of the System.

123

54

Strengthening the effectiveness of SG-SICA.

Systemic institutional coordination: Integrating the integrationprocess.

Relationships with Development Partners

Cross-cutting strategic line: Human rights and gender equality

Repositioning of SICA: Living the integration process.

Relationship with Development Partners

Repositioning of SICA: Living the

integration process.

Human rights and gender equality

Strengthening theeffectiveness of

SG-SICA

Systemic institutional coordination: Integratingthe integration process

LINES

13

LIVING THE INTEGRATION

1) To strengthen the institutional capacities of the SG-SICA for the coordination of the System, the elaboration of proposals, and the fulfillment of its mandates, responding in a timely and effective manner to the challenges implied by the accomplishment of its mission.

2) To adopt a new organizational culture in the SG-SICA, based on the development of a work mystique inspired by values; the implementation of systems, regulations and procedures; balance and optimization of resources for the operation of technical and support units; the efficient management of expenditures and institutional finances; and the institutionalization of best practices in transparency and accountability.

3) To advance towards an administration that promotes environmental sustainability and that is friendlier to the environment, through practices and regulations that promote an environmental management system.

4) To assess and rethink the organizational structure, as mandated in the legal instruments, along with a process-efficiency approach as well as the implementation of permanent monitoring and assessment mechanisms.

5) To develop and implement a human resources management policy focused on inclusion and talent management, which contributes to higher quality public service in the region.

6) To facilitate proposals to the Member States for financing the SICA institutionality.

To strengthen the capacity of the SG-SICA with the purpose of seeking a better efficiency and effectiveness in the performance of its duties.

STRATEGIC LINE 1: Strengthening the effectiveness of SG-SICA.

OBJECTIVES

To strengthen the systemic functioning of regional institutions, creating or enhancing coordination spaces with the Agencies, the Permanent Commission of Community Agencies, as well as with the technical secretariats and specialized institutions, in order to progress towards the achievement of the purposes of regional integration in a more effective and efficient way.

STRATEGIC LINE 2:Systemic institutional coordination: Integrating the integration process

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1) To promote the operational functioning of regional institutions under the principles of legality, gradualism, transparency, reciprocity, solidarity and complementarity, avoid duplication of efforts, and strengthen permanent, systemic, inter and intrasectoral coordination with the Bodies, technical secretariats and specialized agencies through the implementation of SICA’s Prioritized Strategic Agenda containing cross-sectional programs with a multidimensional approach.

2) To analyze and elaborate proposals to ensure better coordination of regional institutions in accordance with the five Priority Pillars of the integration process, the SICA Prioritized Strategic Agenda, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and on cross-cutting issues related to its competences and mandates, within the framework of a monitoring and evaluating mechanism to ensure compliance with the expected results.

3) To resume the process of reflection on the future of Central American integration that initiated in 2013 and is currently being carried out by the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, following up on the agreements made in 2015, which included the establishment of a “Supporting Country” mechanism and the preparation of a proposal to strengthen the systemic functioning of institutions, among others.

4) To contribute to the creation of a portfolio of short, medium and long-term projects, based on the strategic priorities of SICA, in coordination with the Ministerial Forums and regional institutions.

5) To develop mechanisms which enable the coordination of regional decisions with national agendas in terms of policy, planning, and budget.

6) To strengthen the strategic communication efforts with SICA instances to achieve better impacts and to adequately build the narrative of regional integration, so that people can perceive more clearly what SICA is, how it works and what are the benefits obtained of this process.

7) To deepen the multidimensional character of the Central American integration, characteristic that promotes human development in coherence with the care and protection of the planet, to ensure sustainable development.

To strengthen negotiations and relationships with development partners that make it possible to increase their participation in the priority projects and economic and social development in the region.

STRATEGIC LINE 3:Relationships with Development Partners.

OBJECTIVES

1) Strengthen relations with cooperating countries, regions and international organizations to work jointly to achieve the objectives of integration, within the framework of the Priority Pillars, of the 2030 Prioritized Strategic Agenda for Sustainable Development, capitalizing on the possibilities of the Mechanism for Administration, Coordination and Information of the Regional Cooperation.

OBJECTIVES

15

1) To increase the strategic and political communication with the different target populations, particularly with the Central American citizens, systematizing the efforts and achievements obtained within the framework of the integration in order to motivate the sense of belonging among the people of the region.

2) To contribute in communicating the region’s potential to the international community in order to promote foreign investment, encouraging other countries and capitals to become partners in our development through the support of regional initiatives, which promote public-private partnerships.

3) To support the strengthening and deepening of the economic integration with support of the implementation of the actions in place for trade facilitation and the extension of the Customs Union and the free movement of persons.

4) To accompany the strengthening of the energy sector through its institutional framework and the update of its Central American Sustainable Energy Strategy for 2030. As well as promoting, in coordination with the corresponding regional institutions, the adoption of measures to support carbon neutral actions from the work undertaken by the SG-SICA.

5) Deepen efforts for knowledge management around Central America and the regional integration process.

6) Contribute to the identification and construction of regional public goods, to ensure that regional efforts have real impacts on the lives of Central American citizens.

To influence in a better positioning of SICA and its benefits for the population, governments, and development partners.

STRATEGIC LINE 4:Repositioning of SICA: Living the integration process.

OBJECTIVES

3) To manage international cooperation for the proper functioning of SICA, the financing of regional action, and the different initiatives carried out within the framework of the five pillars of integration and the Strategic Priority Agenda of SICA.

4) To promote alongside the regional institutions, sources for funding the different agendas, strategies and regional policies in all areas of the integration process.

5) To strengthen international cooperation for the promotion of the Central American Democratic Security Model and the financing of projects derived from the Central American Security Strategy (ESCA, for its Spanish initials).

2) To ensure the proper implementation of the Regional Cooperation Management, Coordination and Information Mechanism, strengthen the Regional Cooperation Information System (SICOR, for its Spanish acronym), and the 2017-2010 Action Plan for Regional Cooperation Effectiveness and subsequent documents.

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2) To privilege a vision of human rights and gender in order to close our gaps with regards to gender equity and equality, to provide better opportunities for youths, indigenous peoples, afro-descendant population, and excluded population groups.

3) To promote safe human mobility in the region which enables the provision of services, cultural and social exchange; strengthening the appropriation of the principle of identity of the inhabitants of the community.

To adopt the human rights and gender approach in the operational practices of the SG-SICA and in the performance of its coordinating role for the System, as a fundamental pillar for the achievement of sustainable development, with the objective of turning regional integration into an instrument that contributes to a fair, equitable, and inclusive development for the people of the region.

CROSS-CUTTING STRATEGIC LINE 5:Human rights and gender equality

1) To strengthen the capacity of the SG-SICA in order to take on a human rights and gender approach in the performance of its duties, as well as to promote processes to adopt this same approach, in close coordination with the relevant institutions, for the design and implementation of policies, programs, practices, and any other action in favor of regional integration, with the aim of reducing existing imbalances and inequalities, ending discrimination based on sex, age, ethnicity, race, and disabilities, among others.

OBJECTIVES

7) Support and accompany regional actions that promote sustainable human development in all its dimensions to ensure that regional strategies, agendas and policies respond to the specific needs of the region.

8) Support regional social actions that promote human development and that reduce poverty, inequality, violence and social exclusion, so that regional integration gets to be an engine of well-being for the Central American people..

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The guardianship, respect and promotion of Human Rights constitute the fundamental basis of the CENTRAL AMERICAN INTEGRATION SYSTEM;

Peace, Democracy, Development and Liberty, are a harmonic and an indivisible whole that guide the actions of the member countries of the CENTRAL AMERICAN INTEGRATION SYSTEM;

The Central American identity as an active manifestation of the regional interests and the will to participate in the consolidation of the integration of the region.

Principles

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We are inspired by the fundamental principles reflected in the Tegucigalpa Protocol.

The Central American solidarity as an expression of their deep interdependency, origin and common destiny;

The graduality, specificity and progressivity of the economic integration process, based on the regional harmonic and balanced development; and the special treatment of member countries with relative less development; the equity and reciprocity; and the Central American Clause of Exception.

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The global nature of the integration process, and the democratic participation in the same, of all the social sectors.

The juridical security of the relations amongst the Member States and the peaceful solution of controversies.

The good faith of the Member States in complying with their obligations, abstaining from establishing, agreeing or adopting measures that are contrary to the dispositions of this instrument or that hinder the compliance of the fundamental principles of the CENTRAL AMERICAN INTEGRATION SYSTEM or the achievement of its objectives.

Respect for the principles and norms of the Charter of the United Nations Organization (UN) and the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Declarations issued in the Central American Presidential Meetings since the summits of Esquipulas as of May 1986.

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2018 – 2021 STRATEGIC PLAN:ROUTE MAP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF

ACTIONS INSPIRED BY THE STRATEGIC VISION A set of actions contained in the 2018-2021 SG-SICA Strategic Plan will be undertaken in order to achieve the major objectives of the strategic vision of the SICA Secretary General. These actions from the Strategic Plan are integrated within the framework of a logical chain; strategic lines, strategic objectives, expected outcomes, and strategic actions, which go from top to bottom until they reach specific activities. For each strategic objective and expected outcome, their respective indicators will be established.

Likewise, said Strategic Plan will be specified through Annual Operating Plans, which will be subject to periodic monitoring and evaluation processes.

As a consequence, facing the bicentenary and into three decades of the new phase of the of the Central American integration, with the trust that the Presidents of the region have vested in my appointment as Secretary General but also with my commitment to the Central American people striving to improve their quality of life, I put my political capital and teamwork efforts at the service of the strengthening and intensification of the Central American integration process.

I will continue to work so that we become a region of Peace, Democracy, Freedom and Development. I reiterate my conviction that regional integration is not an end in itself but the ideal instrument to achieve sustainable and equitable development of our people, to build a region of opportunities. The future starts today!

THE LEGACY

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He is a Lawyer, has a Master s Degree in Public Administration and was given an honorary doctorate from the Catholic University of Nicaragua.

His service and commitment, for over 50 years, to peace, democracy, development and the integration of the region, earned him being called by many Ambassador of Central America .

He began his political career at the University and from there, as President of the Association of Law Students, he promoted the prolonged resistance for democracy.

On his journey he saw his friends and leaders die, murdered by the repressive governments of the time. He

Vinicio Cerezo

himself survived four assassination attempts.

In 1986 he became the first democratically elected civilian in the modern stage of democracy in Guatemala. His administration managed to establish democracy and the institutionalism still in place in the country, thus contributing to the modernization of the State. He revived the economy and diversified the exports; with a futuristic vision he established the system of protected areas, within a sustainable development scheme, he is the creator of the Maya Biosphere Reserve.

He led the recognition and inclusion of the indigenous population in Guatemala. He established the Ministry of Culture and proposed the first education reform. The changes and transformation, in favor of the common good, which his government promoted, provoked the opposition of diverse groups that were involved in several coups attempts, which the government resisted.

In his inauguration speech, in the context of the Cold War, inspired by the Contadora Group, he called on his counterparts to seek Central American paths for peace, what would later become the Peace Agreements of Central America, Esquipulas I and II which contributed decisively to bring peace within the region, the institutionalization of democracy and the recent political promotion for regional integration.

He has also served as deputy to the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala, several times he was a Central American deputy. He was President of the Esquipulas Foundation for Peace, Democracy, Development and Integration. He is a founding member of the Latin American Presidential Mission, he is part of diverse thought circles and forums for consultations of global organizations. He focuses his energy, knowledge, and experience on behalf of the region, the Peace, the Democracy and the Integration process as mechanisms for economic and social development with equity.

He believes in the rescue of politics and in the need of a new development model that benefits from the advantages that has Central America and that allows the face of the region to be transformed forever.

He combines his work agenda and a political life of more than five decades, with a family life. He has four sons and two daughters, most of them linked to social causes; He is a regular reader, he is a second dan black belt karate player, he practices tennis and in his free time he tries to enjoy the sea. With his feet on the ground and aware of reality, he declares himself optimistic with his eyes always set on the construction of a global society with better human beings.

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@sg_sica @sg_sicaSecretaría General del SICASecretaría General del SICA

SICA: Eight countries building a region of opportunities