AS/COA Hosts Presidents and Leaders alongside the 81st UN General Assembly

AS/COA kicked off its UNGA programming by hosting Colombian Vice President José Manuel Restrepo on September 21.

Restrepo, who was joined by Colombian Ambassador to the U.S. María Consuelo Araújo Castro, met with AS/COA members, to speak on several critical topics, including opportunities for investment and Colombia's key role in the region.

Making his fourth visit to AS/COA, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali returned to our New York offices for a private meeting with corporate members on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 21.

The president, who won reelection last year, discussed Guyana’s rapid economic development and investment opportunities as the country seeks to leverage its energy resources to foster long-term, diversified growth. The country's GDP growth is expected to reach 16.3 percent in 2026, per the World Bank.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino met privately with AS/COA members at our New York offices on September 21.

President Mulino, accompanied by First Lady Maricel Cohen de Mulino, provided an update on Panama’s economic recovery, major infrastructure and logistics projects, and opportunities for U.S. companies to invest and expand operations in the country. Panama is expected to see GDP growth of 3.8 percent this year, per the IMF.

Minister of Economy and Finance Felipe Chapman, Panama Canal Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta, Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Martínez-Acha, and Minister of Health Fernando Boyd Galindo also participated in the meeting.

President of Honduras Nasry "Tito" Asfura, in New York for his first participation in the opening of the UN General Assembly since taking office, joined AS/COA members on September 21.

During the meeting, President Asfura shared his views on Honduras’ economic outlook and strategies to advance investment and growth in the country.

AS/COA welcomed a high-level delegation from Guatemala, including Minister of Public Finance Jonathan Menkos, Private Secretary to the President Ana Glenda Tager, and Secretary of Planning and Programming of the Presidency Carlos Mendoza Alvarado, for a private discussion with members.

The September 21 conversation focused on Guatemala’s economic outlook, development priorities, and opportunities to promote sustainable growth and investment. The Central American country is projected to be one of the region's economic starts this year, with a GDP growth rate of 3.9 percent this year, per IMF forecasts in April, outpacing the 2.3 percent Latin American average. 

Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi joined AS/COA for a private dinner on September 22.

During the meeting, President Orsi highlighted Uruguay’s strengths as an investment destination and his administration’s commitment to further improving the country’s business environment. This is the president's second visit to AS/COA's headquarters.

On September 24, the day of his maiden speech to the UN General Assembly, Chilean President José Antonio Kast met with AS/COA members at 680 Park.

The president shared his perspectives on Chile’s priorities, emphasized the longstanding ties between Chile and the United States, and highlighted investment opportunities in the country. 

He was joined by Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna, Chile's Permanent Representative to the UN Roberto Ampuero, Chilean Ambassador to the U.S. Andrés Ergas, and a delegation of members of Congress.