President Leonel Fernández Reyna, credited with turning his country's economy around, is expected to win a May 16 reelection bid. Fernández's administration would face a set of challenges in a new term, ranging from food price inflation to a remittance slowdown to persistent social inequality.
Presidents of the Americas joined world leaders for the annual UN General Assembly (UNGA). Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva opened debate, calling for a 2012 environmental conference in Rio. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet made the case for her nation to hold a UN Human Rights Council seat and President Evo Morales of Bolivia proposed the UN convene a forum for indigenous peoples. AS/COA hosted several Latin American leaders, including Bachelet and Morales, during the week of UNGA.
AS/COA hosted leaders from the Americas during the month of the UN General Assembly, including presidents of Bolivia; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; El Salvador; Guatemala; Honduras; Ecuador; and the leading Argentinean presidential candidate.
In 2006, AS/COA hosted presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and Panama.
Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols joined AS/COA for a private event with corporate members.
For the second time, the Dominican president visited the Americas Society/Council of the Americas headquarters during UNGA.
On September 26, AS/COA hosted General Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi for a private event with corporate members.