Background

The ISSA has developed a new strategy designed to improve its response to the diverse profile of its members, through the establishment and strengthening of new sub-regional or linguistic structures and networks.

In this respect, the State Employees’ Social Security and Social Services Institute (ISSSTE), in its commitment to developing international collaboration for the strengthening of social security on the American continent, indicated its interest at the First World Social Security Forum, held in Moscow, Russian Federation, from 10 to 15 September 2007, in signing a cooperation agreement with a view to coordinating a regional project covering North and Central America.

The signature of an agreement between the ISSA and the ISSSTE General Secretariat, through the Sub-Directorate for International Relations, was completed in July 2010.

Objectives

The objective of the Liaison Office is to establish a regional programme of activities for ISSA member organizations in North and Central America covering the following countries: Canada, United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, which will involve the following forms of collaboration:

• the exchange of experts;
• the exchange of publications and specialized information;
• the planning and coordination of social security congresses and forums;
• the development of links with ISSA social security member institutions in the region; and
• the development of activities to promote and strengthen social security policies.

Structure

The Liaison Office works with a Steering Committee composed of a maximum of three directors of member organizations in North and Central America to supervise and evaluate the activities carried out in the context of the programme of regional activities.