9 September 2011: The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) has adopted an Environmental Strategy to guide its financing of sustainable development projects in Central America and promote environmental principles in its practices. The Strategy sets out general principles and calls for Bank action in six areas: biodiversity; waste management; energy; air pollution; land management; and water as a resource. The Bank will focus particularly on institutional strengthening, preventing and mitigating pollution from economic activities, and conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

BCIE was formed in 1960 by Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua to promote Central American integration and economic and social development. The original five countries have since been joined in BCIE membership by Argentina, Belize, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Spain and Taiwan. [BCIE Press Release]