The Third Annual Congress of the Regional Group for Central America and the Caribbean was held in San Salvador on 6 June.

The one-day event focused on the topic of ‘Intellectual Property Challenges for Innovation in the Region’.

The event was attended by over 60 participants from almost all Central American countries and some from the Caribbean region.

The programme included a keynote speaker who delivered a lecture on innovation in the region and the challenges currently being faced. The speaker’s examples of developments generated in the region, and very detailed analysis of the position of Latin American countries in the innovation index, captured the attention of all attendees.

Moreover, two panels were scheduled during the morning session. The first panel focused on the development of the region, while the second panel concentrated on the innovations introduced by the authorities to improve the protection and enforcement of IPR in the area.

Salvador Lizama, Director of the National Office of Intellectual Property of El Salvador, and Benjamin Mayorga, General Director of the Customs Office of El Salvador, participated as speakers on both panels, accompanied by panellists from Costa Rica, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.  A significant proportion of the discussion during both panels focused on the New IP Law in El Salvador. This law was analysed from a variety of perspectives, with the aim of addressing topics that would be of interest to the audience.  The recently enacted legislation has been designed to foster a more favourable legal environment for entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes that are investing in the country.

As part of the programme, a workshop session was held in which several entrepreneurs presented their projects.  The entrepreneurs then had the opportunity to meet with the attendees and receive comments and suggestions on how to adequately protect their intellectual property and, in general, their businesses.

The event was met with a satisfactory turnout, and the programme was found to be of significant value by the participants.

It is important to note the seriousness with which the participants, entrepreneurs and attendees approached the working session. The business proposals presented were of interest, and the participation and consulting offered to the young entrepreneurs was received with enthusiasm.

The AIPPI Regional Group for Central America and the Caribbean is highly active in the region and is determined to have a stronger voice in the area.  The third edition of the Congress proved to be a resounding success, offering participants a multifaceted learning experience. In addition to engaging with the substantive topics discussed during the sessions, attendees had the opportunity to network through social activities and to interact with authorities in a relaxed setting.

In the final session, the announcement was made that the Regional Group will be holding its fourth annual congress in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 2026.  The event will provide an excellent opportunity for members to meet, learn, develop business relations and promote the voice of AIPPI in the Latin American region.