Leading up to the Summit of the America, AS/COA Miami hosted a panel discussion on prospects for trade and integration in Latin America. At a time of financial crisis and a tendency toward protectionism, speakers agreed there is a need to consider a broader agenda for growth across the Western Hemisphere.
Program Summaries
Council of the Americas hosted former Peruvian Ambassador to the United States Eduardo Ferrero to discuss the Andean country's economic and political outlook in the context of the global financial downturn.
AS/COA hosted a panel discussion on April's Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. White House Advisor for the Summit of the Americas Jeffrey Davidow and Permanent Representative of Chile to the UN Heraldo Muñoz talked about how the summit can move forward trade, energy, and economic policy while reinvigorating Washington's relationship with the hemisphere.
On the eve of Secretary Hillary Clinton's trip to Mexico, an AS/COA panel examined bilateral approaches to solve security issues and overcome financial concerns. Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Arturo Sarukhán and former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Jim Jones participated.
AS/COA's annual Mexico City conference featured a keynote speech by Mexican President Felipe Calderón. With economic and security matters ranking high on the U.S.-Mexico agenda, ministers and private sector leaders commented on opportunities for cooperation.
An AS/COA program launched a new report by Fundacion IDEA on intellectual property rights protection in Mexico. Panelists discussed the larger linkages between IPR and innovation.
At an AS/COA program, Cuba experts and the author of Cuba Wars, a new book by Dan Erikson, discussed the current state of U.S. policy toward the island nation and changes that could be expected in the near future. This discussion comes at a pivotal time, as leadership transitions have occurred in both countries.