The Initiative for the Integration of South American Regional Infrastructure (IIRSA), is the dialogue forum between the 12 republics of South America (current Union of South American Nations), which aims to plan and develop projects for the improvement of regional transportation, energy and telecommunications infrastructure. Created in August 2000 during the first South American Summit as a way to facilitate and promote regional integration. It has the technical and financial support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), and the Financial Fund for the Development of the La Plata Basin (FONPLATA).

The IIRSA is organized as follows:

• - The Executive Management Committee (CDE), made up of the ministers of infrastructure or planning. Defines strategic guidelines and approves action plans.

• - The Technical Coordination Groups (GCT), made up of government officials and technicians. They are in charge of carrying out multinational decisions. There is a GCT for each Axis of Integration and Development (EID) and Sectoral Integration Process (PSI).

• - The Technical Coordination Committee (CCT) made up of the IDB, CAF and FONPLATA. They provide technical and financial support to IIRSA. It coordinates the activities and also fulfills the function of institutional memory of the IIRSA. SHE IS the secretary of the CDE.

• - The IIRSA National Coordinations structured in each country. It is in charge of articulating the participation of the various ministries and government agencies in the IIRSA. As well as the participation of subregional bodies, the private sector and others from civil society.

The Integration and Development Axes are:

• - Andean Axis.

• - Southern Andean Axis.

• - Capricorn axis.

• - Amazon Axis.

• - Axis of the Guiana Shield.

• - Southern Axis.

• - Paraguay-Paraná Waterway Axis.

• - Central Interoceanic Axis.

• - MERCOSUR-Chile Axis.