In a continued effort to promote cross-border integration within the Trifinio Region, President Nayib Bukele’s government is taking significant steps forward. On Wednesday, the Trinational Commission for the Trifinio Plan (CTPT) launched transboundary development initiatives aimed at propelling the participatory master plan for the Trifinio Region.
The CTPT, comprising Vice President Félix Ulloa of El Salvador, Vice President Guillermo Castillo of Guatemala, and Honduras’ Designated Presidential Representative, Doris Gutiérrez, jointly presided over the launch event for transboundary development initiatives.
Liseth Hernández, the Trinational Executive Secretary of the Trifinio Plan, emphasized, «Over time, we have championed various initiatives focused on environmental, social, and economic aspects, all aimed at improving the well-being of over a million residents living in the 45 municipalities that make up the transboundary region.»
Margarita Libby, the representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in El Salvador, acknowledged the region’s ecological significance, stating, «Today, the IDB recognizes the importance of the ecosystem in this region, particularly the Lempa River Basin, which originates here and ranks as the largest on the Pacific slope and the fifth largest in Central America.»
Libby continued, «The Trifinio Region stands out for its rich biodiversity, ecological fragility, and its role as a critical source of water recharge for the Lempa River Basin. It encompasses protected areas dedicated to biodiversity conservation and the provision of ecosystem services, including a biosphere reserve.»
One noteworthy project in the works is «Promoting Water Security in the Trifinio Region,» financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and set to be implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the Organization of American States (OAS), working in coordination with the Trifinio Plan.
These initiatives reflect the commitment of President Bukele’s government to strengthen cross-border cooperation and sustainable development in the Trifinio Region. With a focus on environmental conservation, social progress, and economic growth, these efforts aim to improve the quality of life for the region’s inhabitants and protect its vital ecosystems.