Keynote Speaker:

• Aníbal Gaviria, Mayor of Medellin, Colombia (Download his presentation)

Panel Discussion:

• Maria Elosua, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, New York University
• Bryna Lipper, Vice President For Relationships, 100 Resilient Cities - Pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation
• Carolina Barco, Senior Advisor, Emerging Sustainable Cities, Inter-American Development Bank (Moderator)

Americas Society/Council of the Americas launched its Latin American Mayors Series with Aníbal Gaviria, mayor of Medellin, Colombia. Mayor Gaviria gave a presentation on the state of the city of Medellin and the policies that have made it the most “Innovative City of the Year” according to the Citi/Urban Land Institute/Wall Street Journal contest in 2012. The presentation was followed by a panel with leaders from government, philanthropy, and urban planning to discuss how innovative interventions have transformed  Medellin's economic performance while also improving the quality of life of its citizens. Panelists also shared views on the challenges and priorities for cities in Latin America to become globally competitive.