Council of the Americas Annual Conference

Once every year, the Council of the Americas assembles business, government and public policy leaders of the Americas in Washington D.C. to discuss the most pressing issues related to the economic, social and democratic development of the Hemisphere. The speakers at the Annual Meetings are some of the highest U.S. government officials, as well as presidents, ministers and ambassadors of Latin American and Caribbean countries. Chairmen and CEOs of the most
prosperous hemispheric private ventures as well as representatives of think tanks, foundations and other institutions with interest in the Region participate as panelists or attendants.

The XXXIV Annual Conference took place at the State Department on May 3 and the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development was represented by its Executive Director, Ms. Natasha Despotovich.

The US Secretary of State, Colin Powell,
and the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Ambassador Roger Noriega, gave an overview of the USA policy towards Latin America and the Caribbean, while Mr. Robert Zoellick, US Trade Representative, Mr. Oscar Berger, President of Guatemala, and Mr. Miguel Angel Rodriguez, Former President of Costa Rica, spoke on the subject of free trade.

Among other presenters, special interest was evoked by the President of Central Bank of
Argentina, Alfonso Prat Gay, Secretary of the US Treasury, John Snow, Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce of Brazil, Luiz Fernando Furlan, Minister of Defense of Colombia, Jorge Alberto Uribe Echavarria, and the US Secretary of Commerce, Donald Evans.

Investment climate, hemispheric security, AIDS, American market expansion as well as trade, investment and development policies were the issues of greatest importance.

More than 300 participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences, establish new partnerships and strengthen the existing ties.

The Council of the Americas is the leading U.S. business organization dedicated to promoting regional economic integration, free trade, open markets and investment, and the rule of law throughout the Western Hemisphere. Global Foundation follows up closely its valuable work, and participates regularly in
its discussion forums and conferences.

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US Department of States website