In an article for Diplomatic Courier, COA's Eric Farnsworth writes that leaders gathering at the Summit of the Americas this weekend must focus on common solutions to alleviate regional poverty: "By championing sustainable development, we can stand with the poor and advance a common agenda throughout the hemisphere."

The forthcoming Summit of the Americas will be a chance for the United States to demonstrate its commitment to a common agenda in the Western Hemisphere, writes AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini. Yet concern remains that some leaders will use this spotlight to push their own agendas. (en español)

"[W]hen it comes to ways to improve the global financial sector—and ultimately the global economy—Canada offers a model that’s worth consideration," writes Scotiabank's President and CEO Richard E. Waugh.

"Generally unpopular in Washington, trade is now an orphan," write COA’s Eric Farnsworth and Michelle Morton for Poder magazine. “Pending trade agreements manifestly in the U.S. interest are languishing.” Solutions to jump-start the ailing hemispheric economy include conclusion of a trans-Pacific trade agreement.

By striking free-trade agreements with Colombia and Peru, "Canada is taking a leadership role in the logical and inevitable move toward freer trade," writes Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin.

"Canada should accept the reality that Mexico is likely to become a much more significant player in North America," writes journalist David Crane. In Embassy, he highlights the reasons why Washington pays an increasing amount of attention to its southern neighbor as well as growing Mexican-Canadian trade ties.

COA’s Director of Energy Policy Nicole Spencer says building a hemispheric energy partnership would be “smart politics” for the Obama administration. Cooperation on energy and climate change issues now could pave the way for enhanced regional relations.