Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA)

Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA) is a South American initiative begun in August 2000 "to promote the process of political, social and economic integration of South America, including the modernization of the regional infrastructure and specific actions to stimulate the integration and development of isolated sub regions."

Origin of IIRSA
It was conceived at the First Meeting of Presidents of South America, held that month in Brasilia. The presidents who attended were:
 * Brazil: Fernando Henrique Cardoso
 * Argentina: Fernando De la Rúa
 * Bolivia: Hugo Bánzer Suárez
 * Chile: Ricardo Lagos Escobar
 * Colombia: Andrés Pastrana Arango
 * Ecuador: Gustavo Noboa
 * Guyana: Bharrat Jagdeo
 * Paraguay: Luis Angel González Macchi
 * Perú: Alberto Fujimori Fujimori
 * Suriname: Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan
 * Uruguay: Jorge Batlle Ibañez
 * Venezuela: Hugo Chávez

Additionally, the presidents of the Inter-American Development Bank, Enrique Iglesias and the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), Enrique García, were present.

Based on agreements from that meeting, the Ministers of Transport, Energy, and Telecommunications of the twelve countries drew up an action plan for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America. Thus, IIRSA was created. "Since its creation, the activities undertaken have focused on identifying the physical, regulatory and institutional requirements for planning and implementing basic infrastructure to attain South American integration."

Related SourceWatch Articles

 * Bolivia's Law of the Rights of Mother Earth
 * Bolivian Forum on the Environment and Development (FOBOMADE)
 * Tierra Comunitaria de Orígen (TCO)
 * TIPNIS

External Resources

 * IIRSA, Bolivian Forum on the Environment and Development, FOBOMADE
 * Jill Richardson, "Bolivia Diaries: Day 2, Part 4 - Controversial Highway Through the Jungle (TIPNIS), La Vida Locavore, August 29, 2011.