In a speech delivered at AS/COA, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil emphasized that his country finds itself at a point of transforming itself into a great nation. Read the English translation of his delivered remarks.

Pesident Luiz Inácio da Silva's prepared remarks delivered at the Americas Society/Council of the Americas after accepting the AS Gold Insigne award.

At a COA-hosted public program, World Bank Private and Financial Sector Vice President Sylvia Solf presented the findings of Doing Business 2009, the sixth in a series of annual reports comparing business regulations in 181 countries. View Solf's presentation.

U.S. Congressman Gregory Meeks, in remarks delivered at AS/COA's Latin American Cities Conference in Montevideo, urged the expansion of inter-American trade pacts. Representative Meeks sees an opportunity to "construct a new framework for hemispheric cooperation and renew our joint focus on hemisphere unity." 

Speaking at AS/COA's annual Latin American Cities Conference in Santiago, Chilean Minister of Finance Andrés Velasco presented a strong outlook of Chile's economy despite a global economic slowdown. Velasco also recommended fiscal prudence to fight inflation.

In remarks to the American Jewish Committee, COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth examines Latin American links with Iran, particularly with Venezuela. Citing evidence of activities by Hezbollah agents in South American, Farnsworth offers recommendations to counter negative influences that could lead to terrorist actions.

As an opening speaker at the 2008 Latin American Cities Conference in São Paulo, AS/COA President Susan Segal highlighted Brazil's increasing importance worldwide, comparing it with Asian giants and emphasizing its role in promoting global trade talks.