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Recognising the diversity of the region, we are developing sub regional initiatives to better tailor our activities to the specific challenges and priorities of the different countries in Latin American and Caribbean. Through our LAC Regional Programme, we design initiatives in coordination with existing sub-regional integrations, such as the Pacific Alliance and governance mechanisms in Central America and the Caribbean.

Central America

Central America is a unique region with a market of over 40 million people and a strategic location that connects the two Americas. Process in its economic integration efforts has made it to one of the most advanced sub-regions of the Americas. The Central America Initiative was launched in 2017 with the Secretary of Economic Integration of Central America (SIECA) to:

    • Support the development of regional value chains and integration in GVCs
    • Strengthen the role of the services sector and of SMES in the integration process
    • Strengthen the institutional development of the economic integration process
    • Strengthen international regulatory co-operation among countries in the region
    • Read more ...

Pacific Alliance

The Pacific Alliance founded in 2011 by Chile, Colombia Mexico and Peru, is one of the most ambitious integration projects of the 21st century. Over the years, the Alliance has demonstrated persistence and continuity in its objective "to progressively move towards the free movement of goods, services, resources and people". The OECD has developed close bilateral relationships with all four member countries and regularly supports the priorities of the Alliance as a strategic advisor. The latest outputs include:

Caribbean

The OECD recognises the particular context and challenges of the Caribbean sub-region, and is engaging with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) to identify potential areas of co-operation within the OECD LAC Regional Programme going forward. 

 

Mercosur

Founded in 1991, the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR for its Spanish initials) is a regional integration process, initially established by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Its main objective has been to promote a common space that generates business and investment opportunities through the competitive integration of national economies into the international market. Over the years, it has increasingly invited the OECD to participate in its activities and closer ties have been formed with the OECD LAC Regional Programme.