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.

Corporate Sponsors: Bavaria, part of AB InBev; and Television Association of Programmers Latin America

Making his fourth visit to AS/COA, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali returned to our New York offices for a private meeting with corporate members.

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.

Corporate Sponsors: Chevron and Exxon Mobil Corporation

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino met privately with AS/COA members at our New York offices that Monday.

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 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.

Corporate Sponsor: Glenfarne/EnfraGen

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.

Corporate Sponsors: Chevron, Corporación Multi Inversiones, and Grupo Mariposa

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 stars 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. 

Corporate Sponsors: Chevron and Corporación Multi Inversiones

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.

Corporate Sponsor: PepsiCo

On September 23, 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.

Corporate Sponsors: Amazon, Freeport-McMoRan, and Glenfarne/EnfraGen

That same Tuesday, AS/COA welcomed Argentina’s Minister of Economy Luis Caputo, Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, and Ambassador to the U.S. Alejandro “Alec” Oxenford.

During the meeting, the officials shared their perspectives on Argentina’s economic agenda and efforts to foster private-sector investment and engagement.

During a September 23 dinner, Americas Society recognized Dominican President Luis Abinader with the Gold Insigne. The award honored his contributions to the Dominican Republic’s economic growth, his steadfast commitment to defending and strengthening democracy, and his prominent role in advancing regional cooperation.

“President Abinader’s leadership has had a transformative impact not only on the Dominican Republic but also across the region,” said Susan Segal. “His record will serve as a model for decades to come, and it is an enormous honor to present him with this distinction tonight.”

Corporate Sponsors: FedEx, InterEnergy, and Mercuria 
With Support Of: CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and J. PEPE FANJUL

In her first UN intervention since her July inauguration, President of Peru Keiko Fujimori joined AS/COA members for a September 24 conversation focused on investment opportunities, as well as her administration’s priorities to advance sustainable growth and competitiveness.

Corporate Sponsors: Freeport-McMoRan, Integratel Perú, Valero Energy Corporation, and Volcán

Also that Thursday, AS/COA hosted a high-level delegation from El Salvador, including Minister of Finance Jerson Posada and Special Advisor to the President Sara Hanna, at our New York offices for a private meeting with members.

The officials shared perspectives on El Salvador’s economic and educational priorities, as well as efforts to foster a stronger business environment.

Later that day, Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons joined us for a private meeting. Now in her second year in office, the president outlined how Suriname is leveraging its oil and gas development to support diversified growth. She also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and improving connectivity across the Caribbean.

In town for his first UNGA since assuming Bolivia's presidency, Rodrigo Paz joined AS/COA for a private dinner that evening. He gave an overview of the state of his country's economy and his vision for driving growth in strategic sectors through regional integration.

Closing out a busy week at 680 Park Avenue, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Juan Pablo Segura, who assumed his position in August, partook in a September 25 event. In this private event, he outlined U.S. priorities in the Americas and emphasized the importance of strengthening hemispheric commercial and security partnerships.