• Dinner with Argentina’s Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the U.S.
  • Meeting with Daniel L. Watson, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
  • Meeting with Christopher Landau, State Department
  • Reception and Dinner at Peruvian Ambassador's Residence
  • Meeting with Michael Jensen, Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council
  • Keynote Luncheon Featuring U.S. Department of Energy's James Danly and IDB's Ilan Goldfajn
    • 55th Washington Conference on the Americas Luncheon. (Photo: M. Finkenstaedt)

    55th Washington Conference on the Americas Luncheon. (Photo: M. Finkenstaedt)

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    Dinner with Argentina’s Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the U.S. Meeting with Daniel L. Watson, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Meeting with Christopher Landau, State Department Reception and Dinner at Peruvian Ambassador's Residence Meeting with Michael Jensen, Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council Keynote Luncheon Featuring U.S. Department of Energy's James Danly and IDB's Ilan Goldfajn

    COA Recap: 55th Washington Conference on the Americas

    The conference provided exclusive access to senior Trump administration officials and regional diplomats during a critical time for hemispheric relations.

    Council of the Americas held its 55th Washington Conference on the Americas, convening top leaders from the Trump administration, regional diplomats, and private sector members to engage in dialogue about pressing hemispheric issues, such as security, trade, energy, and AI.

    Held over a two-week period, this year’s Washington Conference involved a series of high-level discussions with senior U.S. officials from the U.S. Departments of State and Energy, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the National Security Council. In addition, the ambassadors of Argentina and Peru hosted separate dinners that allowed for productive conversations with our constituents. The conference program closed with a keynote luncheon, featuring U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly and President of the Inter-American Development Bank Ilan Goldfjan.

    During the keynote luncheon, COA Vice President and head of the Washington office Kevin Sullivan noted the series of meetings and private format of this year’s conference "has given us a clearer idea of where the administration is headed in its ambitious efforts in the Western Hemisphere."

    “We are ready to reinforce the deep connection between Washington and Latin America,” said AS/COA’s President and CEO Susan Segal at the luncheon. "There is so much happening across the region: New opportunities, new challenges, and a level of dynamism that makes this a truly exciting time for the Americas."

    See a recap of all the meetings held in November that encompassed the 55th Washington Conference on the Americas and that were hosted by AS/COA’s Segal and Sullivan.

    Dinner with Argentina’s Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the U.S.

    The Washington Conference opened with a November 12 dinner at the Embassy of Argentina, hosted by Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno and Ambassador to the U.S. Alejandro “Alec” Oxenford. There, the senior officials discussed the country's economic transformation and investment opportunities with members. The program included in-depth conversations on President Javier Milei's economic plans, ranging from AI and data center investments to critical minerals projects.

    Argentine Dinner

    (L-R) AS/COA's Kevin Sullivan and Susan Segal with Minister Quirno and Amb. Oxenford. (Photo: M. Finkenstaedt)

    Argentina Dinner

    Dinner at the Embassy of Argentine with Amb. Oxenford and Minister Quirno (R). (Photo: M. Finkenstaedt) 

    Meeting with Daniel L. Watson, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

    The following morning, COA hosted the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Western Hemisphere Daniel L. Watson for an insightful meeting on Washington's trade relations with Latin America. Watson gave COA members an overview of the U.S. government’s priorities in the region, as well as its approaches new and existing trade deals.

    Watson

    (L-R) Segal, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Watson, and Sullivan. (Photo: M. Finkenstaedt)

    Meeting with Christopher Landau, State Department

    At the State Department, COA members met with Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau on November 13, covering key U.S. priorities in the region.

    Reception and Dinner at Peruvian Ambassador's Residence

    The residence of Peruvian Ambassador Alfredo Ferrero served as the host site of a reception and dinner on November 18.

    The evening was marked by a welcome event for Ambassador Sullivan, who took the helm in Washington’s office in September. In remarks, he reinforced the value of convening private sector acting in the region with the public sector in DC. "We want to help [our members] navigate an increasingly complex and constantly evolving business environment in Washington, and throughout the Americas,” said Sullivan. “And we will continue making serious, thoughtful contributions to policy discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing the region.”

    Sullivan spoke about the importance of events such as the 2025 Washington Conference on the Americas. “The interactions that we facilitate between our members and governments in the Americas generate greater trust, understanding, connection, and collaboration,” he said. “Problems get solved, deals get done, and the future gets built, one candid conversation at a time. I am so excited to be a part of it.”

    The reception was followed by a dinner with Ambassador Ferrero and private- sector leaders.

    Peruvian Reception

    (L-R) Sullivan, Amb.Ferrero, and Segal. (Photo: M. Finkenstaedt)

    Peru Reception

    The reception at the Peruvian Ambassador's residence. (Photo: M. Finkenstaedt)

    Peruvian Dinner

    Dinner at the Peruvian Ambassador's Residence with Sullivan and Amb. Ferrero (R). (Photo: M. Finkenstaedt)

    Meeting with Michael Jensen, Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council

    COA hosted a conversation in its Washington office with Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council Michael Jensen. The November 19 conversation focused on the U.S. government’s regional priorities, such as security and investments.

    Jensen

    Segal, Senior Director Jensen, and Sullivan. (Photo: M. Finkenstaedt)

    Keynote Luncheon Featuring U.S. Department of Energy's James Danly and IDB's Ilan Goldfajn

    The 55th Washington Conference on the Americas concluded with a November 19 keynote luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel, featuring conversations with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly and Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn.

    The program kicked off with a fireside chat in which AS/COA Chairman Andrés Gluski interviewed Danly about the U.S. government's priorities on issues such as critical minerals and regional investment.

    Then, Segal gave remarks about how 2025 has been an active year for the organization, in part because of the renewed focus from Washington on Latin America. “It is absolutely clear that President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Deputy Secretary Landau are making our hemisphere one of their highest priorities. This is creating enormous opportunities,” she said. “New tariffs have created much uncertainty, but the four new trade agreements announced last week are providing a new path forward.”

    The next speaker was Goldfajn, who spoke about the need for greater Latin American integration and the work of his organization to enable conditions for the private sector to lead and push development in Latin America.

    “We do believe that, if we want development in the region, it is going to be private sector led,” said Goldfajn. “When we are present, we need to be able to offer private companies the best information they can have on our procurement process.”

    After his keynote remarks, Goldfajn engaged in a conversation with Segal on matters ranging from infrastructure development to security.

    Danly

    (L-R) AS/COA Chairman Gluski and Deputy Secretary Danly. (Photo: M. Finkenstaedt)

    Goldfajn

    IDB President Goldfajn. (Photo: M. Finkenstaedt)