56th Washington Conference on the Americas

The 56th edition of the Washington Conference on the Americas will convene senior officials, policymakers, and business leaders from across the hemisphere at a pivotal moment for regional affairs. This year’s conference takes place amid major shifts in the U.S. approach toward Venezuela and ahead of the 2026 USMCA review, both of which carry significant implications for trade, investment, supply chains, and U.S.-Latin America relations. Through high-level discussions and small, private settings, the conference will provide a timely opportunity to better understand policymaking priorities, regional dynamics, and the issues shaping the hemisphere’s future.

Our annual conference will begin with a welcome reception. High-level speakers and panels during the public portion of the program will address the following themes:

U.S. Energy Agenda in the Americas 

• The Honorable Jarrod Agen, Executive Director, National Energy Dominance Council, The White House
• Kevin Sullivan, Vice President, AS/COA DC Office (moderator) 

Regional Economic Outlook Amid Global Uncertainty 

• Laura Alfaro Maykall, Chief Economist, Inter-American Development Bank
• Rodrigo Valdés, Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department, International Monetary Fund
• Brian Winter, Editor-in-Chief, Americas Quarterly (moderator)

U.S. Trade Priorities for the Western Hemisphere 

• Jeffrey Goettman, Deputy U.S. Trade Trade Representative for Africa, the Western Hemisphere, Europe, the Middle East, the Environment, Labor, and Industrial Competitiveness
• Susan Segal, President and CEO, AS/COA (moderator)

Trade Policy and USMCA—Insights from Former Negotiators 

• Ildefonso Guajardo, Former Mexican Secretary of Economy
• Kate Kalutkiewicz, Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Trade at the National Economic Council
• Steve Verheul, Former Canadian USMCA Chief Trade Negotiator
• Carin Zissis, Vice President, Content Strategy and Editor-in-Chief, AS/COA Online (moderator)

Development Finance and Economic Statecraft in the Americas 

• The Honorable Ben Black, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Development Finance Corporation
• Andres Gluski, Chairman, AS/COA (moderator)

Chairman’s Award for Leadership in the Americas Presentation and Fireside Chat

• Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State
• Andrés Gluski, Chairman, AS/COA (award presenter)
• Susan Segal, President and CEO, AS/COA (moderator)

Congressional Priorities in the Western Hemisphere 

• Maria Elvira Salazar, Congresswoman
• Kevin Sullivan, Vice President, AS/COA DC Office (moderator) 

Registration is now closed.

For press inquiries: mediarelations@as-coa.org

Learn more about the Washington Conference series.