On May 8, 2013, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano spoke during COA's 43rd Annual Washington Conference on the Americas. During her remarks, Napolitano discussed evolving methods to tackle security challenges, as well as immigration reform.

During the 43rd Annual Washington Conference on the Americas, Council of the Americas honored luncheon keynote speaker Senator John McCain with COA's Chairman's Leadership Award. AS/COA Chairman John Negroponte bestowed the honor and lauded the senator's commitment to the promotion of crucial hemispheric affairs such as comprehensive immigration reform and regional economic cooperation.

On April 2, Shannon K. O’Neil presented her book Two Nations Indivisible: Mexico, the United States, and the Road Ahead. The senior fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, O’Neil discussed Mexico's overlooked successes as well as the challenges of U.S.–Mexico relations including immigration, economic integration, and drug trafficking.

Speakers:

• Shannon K. O’Neil, author of Two Nations Indivisible: Mexico, the United States, and the Road Ahead (April 2013) and the Senior Fellow for Latin America Studies, Council on Foreign Relations
• Lisa M. Schineller, Managing Director, Sovereign Ratings & Economist, Latin America, Standard & Poors (discussant)
• Christopher Sabatini, Senior Director of Policy, Americas Society/Council of the Americas and Editor-in-Chief, Americas Quarterly (moderator)

Council of the Americas hosted a public discussion with William Brownfield, assistant secretary of state at the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

Within Central America, the deteriorating security situation has led to decreased citizen safety which holds broader economic and policy implications for the region. Brownfield provided an update on the Central America Regional Security Initiative and U.S. efforts to assist the region.