Speakers:

• Sebastián Piñera, President of Chile
• Jan Van Acker, President of Emerging Markets Human Health, Merck (introduction)
• Andrés Gluski, Chairman, Americas Society/Council of the Americas (moderator)
• Eric Farnsworth, Vice President, Americas Society/Council of the Americas (welcome)

Early 2021. That’s when Sebastián Piñera hopes Chile will be past the peak of COVID-19 and on its way to economic recovery. In a keynote address as part of the 2020 Washington Conference on the Americas and Presidents of the Americas series, the head of state touted his country’s achievements in per capita income growth and poverty reduction in the three decades since the return to democracy, while also acknowledging the need for those gains to continue so that the country doesn’t become ensnared in the “middle-income trap.” To that end, he highlighted his commitment to improve and invest in technology and education and spoke about the importance of foreign investment. Later, the president took questions from AS/COA members about Chile’s pension plans, the upcoming plebiscite on constitutional reform, pandemic economic relief legislation, and more.

Panelistas:

• Alberto Fernández, Presidente de la Argentina
• Susan Segal, Presidente y CEO, Americas Society/Council of the Americas

En el evento de la Serie de Presidentes de las Américas con el Presidente de la nación Argentina Alberto Fernández, se habló principalmente de la necesidad de inversión en el país sudamericano. "Lo que más necesita la Argentina es inversión, producción, trabajo y desarrollo, no hay otro modo que no sea a través del desarrollo", dijo el mandatario. Fernández destacó también el factor mayor de la pandemia del nuevo coronavirus y sus efectos en no solo la economía argentina pero mundial, pero dijo que es una oportunidad para desarrollar el país de una manera más equitativa, señalando que en el país con un 40 por ciento de pobreza no se puede postergar más un acuerdo de reestructuración de la deuda. Dijo, "no podemos más que esto. No es capricho, es sensatez".

El presidente resaltó que el país se debe desendeudar, exportar, y salir del déficit. Incluso, subrayó algunas oportunidades para la Argentina, incluyendo la minería, los alimentos, la producción de gas, la economía del conocimiento, y la unión Europea, entra otros temas. El líder terminó recalcando la propuesta del gobierno a acreedores, "yo confío que los acreedores entiendan que estamos haciendo un enorme esfuerzo haciendo la oferta que hicimos—y es lo último que podemos hacer. Por favor, ayuden a salir a la Argentina de esto". 

El Presidente Lenín Moreno de Ecuador recibió la Insigna de Oro de Americas Society entregada por Presidenta y CEO de AS/COA Susan Segal. Moreno reafirmó su apoyo hacia la cooperación multilateral y los mercados libres, rechazando el modelo actual de Venezuela. Enfatizó luego la importancia del diálogo, la inversión, y el desarrollo para toda la región, destacando que en su país se lidera dejando que los negocios sean libres. Dijo también que es importante que los líderes se turnen, y que no pretende liderar para siempre, añadiendo que su única meta es dejar a su país en una mejor posición de la que tenía cuando entró a la presidencia. 

Panelistas:

• Iván Duque, Presidente de Colombia
• Sebastián Piñera, Presidente de Chile
• Martín Vizcarra, Presidente de Perú
• Graciela Márquez, Secretaria de Economía de México 
• Marcelo Claure, CEO, SoftBank Group International (moderador)

En la discusión que AS/COA organizó, los presidentes de las naciones de la Alianza del Pacífico Chile, Colombia y Perú, también con la secretaria de economía de México, compartieron los planes de desarrollo y trabajo de sus respectivos países, y cómo se están preparando de la mejor manera para la cuarta revolución industrial. El Presidente Piñera de Chile destacó la importancia de no perder tiempo haciendo cambios de innovación, asímismo la Secretaria de Economía Márquez delineó la urgencia de ser más eficientes y más ecológicos. Presidente Iván Duque destacó en particular la importancia de incorporar las artes y cultura en la mezcla con la tecnología e ingenieria, para desarrollar de todos ángulos la economía y sociedad. Presidente Vizcarra de Perú también destacó la importancia de juntar las fuerzas y ser inclusivos para abordar de mejor manera la nueva ola tecnológica. 

In this talk with the presidents of the Pacific Alliance, heads of state from Chile, Colombia, and Peru, along with the economy minister of Mexico, shared their views on the future of work and how their countries are preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. President Piñera of Chile compared the technological shift as a wave ready to crash ashore, adding that it's generous with countries ready to take advantage of it but that Latin America is not sufficiently prepared. His counterpart from Colombia, Iván Duque, stressed the importance of including arts and culture, as demonstrated by his country's Orange Economy movement, in strategies to make the most of this revolution. And Peru's Martín Vizcarra and Mexico's Graciela Márquez emphasized the need for an inclusive approach to the technological wave.

Speakers

• Mauricio Macri, President of Argentina
• William R. Rhodes, Chairman Emeritus, AS/COA

Americas Society's awarded President of Argentina Mauricio Macri the Gold Insigne in recognition of his transformative leadership in Argentina and throughout the hemisphere. "I really believe this distinction is deserved by the Argentines who believe in their future, who don't accept resignation as a possibility, and who think this is a definitive opportunity to develop the country," said President Macri in his remarks before a select audience of private-sector representatives in New York. "This is the moment you have to be down there investing and betting in our future. It will be our future," said the president.

Panelistas:

• Michelle Bachelet, Presidenta de Chile
• Juan Manuel Santos, Presidente de Colombia
• Eduardo Ferreyros, Ministro de Comercio Exterior y Turismo de Perú
• Luis Videgaray Caso, Secretario de Relaciones Exteriores de México
• Alicia Bárcena, Secretaria Ejecutiva de la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (moderator)

Watch a video of this event with English audio.

¿Cuál es la próxima etapa para la Alianza del Pacífico? Los presidentes de Chile y Colombia compartieron sus perspectivas en un panel el 20 de septiembre en Nueva York junto al secretario de comercio exterior de Perú y el secretario de relaciones exteriores de México. Atraer más inversión es una prioridad, ya que en general los flujos de inversión extranjera a Latinoamérica han ido disminuyendo desde el 2011, dijo la Presidenta de Chile Michelle Bachelet. Ya los cuatro países del bloque—Chile, Colombia, México y Perú—son los que más crecen en la región, y por eso "tienen un potencial inmenso", añadió el Presidente de Colombia Juan Manuel Santos.

El bloque en si representa 39 por ciento del PBI de la región y 54 por ciento de su comercio. Ahora toca mirar hacia afuera de la alianza, dijo Secretario de Relaciones Exteriores de México Luis Videgaray. En junio la alianza aprobó el primer grupo de países asociados para comenzar a negociar como bloque un tratado de comercio libre con Australia, Canadá, Nueva Zelanda y Singapur. Era tanto el interés, que "fue casí un 'beauty contest'", dijo Videgaray.

While free trade has become unpopular in some parts of the world, the presidents of the Pacific Alliance trade bloc make the case for its benefits. Chile, Colombia, and Peru's presidents, along with Mexico's economy secretary, took on the subject at an AS/COA event on September 21 during their visit to New York for the 71st UN General Assembly. "Opening up economies has been extremely productive to the world," said recently elected Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. "We've had the best period of growth in the last 50 years."

In this highlights video of the panel, the leaders also discussed their hopes for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as well as their views on the U.S. election. Mexico's Ildefonso Guajardo emphasized the importance of maintaining stable U.S.-Mexico ties, saying: "If we have to talk to the devil to guarantee the safety and future of the Mexican people in Mexico and the U.S., we'll talk to the devil."

• Watch the complete panel.
• Get the background on the Pacific Alliance trade bloc.
• Learn about TPP.
• Access information about COA's Trade Advisory Group and a series of fact sheets about trade.

Speakers:

• Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile
• Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, President of Peru
• Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia
• Ildefonso Guajardo, Economy Secretary, Mexico
• Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, Chief International Correspondent, CNBC (moderator)

In conjunction with the 71st UN General Assembly debate in New York, presidents of Chile, Colombia, and Peru, along with Mexico's economy secretary, came together to talk about investment and how to spur productivity and capital integration in their countries, while also touching on the possibility of a Donald Trump presidency and the political scenario in Venezuela.

O Presidente do Brasil Michel Temer fez um convite a representantes ao setor privado em Nova York para que investissem no país. Ele disse que a confiança no Brasil está retornando e que o país apresenta estabilidade jurídica e que sua administração possui apoio do Congresso nacional para implementar mudanças orçamentárias drásticas, como a reforma da previdência e o estabelecimento de um novo teto para gastos do governo federal.

Brazil's Minister of Finance Henrique Meirelles gave a presentation to private sector representatives in New York following President Michel Temer's speech inviting investors to focus on the country's infrastructure. Meirelles outlined federal government goals, such as a limit on spending ceiling, reducing the country's debt, and increasing productivity. He said that the confidence of investors and consumers in the country is growing, and that Brazil's GDP should rise along with that growing confidence.

O Presidente do Brasil Michel Temer falou com a imprensa em Nova York após participar de um evento do Conselho das Américas com representantes do setor privado. Respondendo questões dos jornalistas presentes, o presidente falou sobre as últimas denúncias da Lava Jato e a estabilidade política no país, o teto de gastos proposto pelo governo e a presença da Venezuela no Mercosul. 

One week after a historic agreement in the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, best known as the FARC, President Juan Manuel Santos sat down for an interview with CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel in New York.

In this clip, watch highlights of a discussion, in which Santos talked about how the peace process would affect the economy, his reaction to online criticisms from former president Álvaro Uribe, and the agreement on transitional justice.

• Watch the full interview with President Santos.
• Read more about the historic agreement.

• Catch highlights of President Santos' interview.

One week after a historic agreement in the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, best known as the FARC, President Juan Manuel Santos sat down for an interview with CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel in New York.

The peace process “is the best thing that’s happened to Colombia for many years,” said Santos, addressing the room in English. Moreover, he said, it’s good for business: experts estimate that a peace accord could raise the country’s economic growth by 1.5 percent in perpetuity. He cited agribusiness in particular as having a “huge potential” to take off with a peace deal since rural areas, typically where the conflict plays out, can be developed and production will expand. Santos noted that the country currently has one of the highest growth rates among medium- and large-sized countries in Latin America, despite the ongoing 50-year conflict. “Colombia already is good for investment—can you imagine what we can do without the cost of the war?”

Santos defended the September 23 agreement on transitional justice, saying that, contrary to reports, it offers no impunity for crimes committed, and that only some 50 to 60 people will receive reduced sentences. He said the agreement exceeds the requirements of international human rights agreements to which Colombia subscribes, thanks to the legal expertise of University of Notre Dame professor Douglass Cassel, who advised Santos on the agreement.

Caruso-Cabrera asked about what Colombian society might look like with ex-fighters reintegrated into society. For example, would they be able to participate politically? “Of course,” said Santos. “That’s the whole purpose of this peace process: for them to lay down their arms and continue their ideological struggle through legal means.” So could FARC head Timochenko be able to run for president one day? She asked. “Why not?” Santos replied. “But I don’t think he’ll get many votes...[The FARC] are not very popular.”

Costa Rica is not only bringing Central America together as one voice on climate change, says President Luis Guillermo Solís, but it's also expanding relations with Africa and the Middle East to develop regional industries within the Caribbean and Latin America. "You have to add diplomacy to trade policies. You can't do one without the other and be successful," said the president, who sat down with AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal while in New York City for the UN General Assembly. Solís said that regional efforts to work together on trade and tourism help Costa Rica to join in on strategies in the works. "This is the case with partners such as Colombia and will be the case, I hope, when the Cuban tourism market becomes completely normalized," he said.

Solís talked about a $300 million project to expand broadband for educational purposes, as well as efforts to boost math and science education. "We have not been teaching children to enjoy math and science and we have to," said the president.

He also spoke of of his efforts to support gender diversity on a multilateral level, saying: "It is already time for a woman to run the United Nations."