U.S.-Argentine relations and the effects of global economic turbulence were among the topics discussed at AS/COA's annual conference in Buenos Aires. Featured speakers included U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Tom Shannon, European Central Bank President Lucas Papademos, and Economy Minister Carlos Fernández. Read the conference summary.

With global commodity prices on the rise, many Latin American countries face soaring inflation. Yet experts suggest the region's economies are more well-girded than in the past to handle economic crises. The IMF's director discussed inflation at COA’s 38th Annual Washington Conference.

Bolivia struggles to maintain contractual commitments to Argentina and Brazil, leading to a recent leader’s meeting in Buenos Aires about the matter. In Venezuela, fallout continues following last year's nationalizations. 

Like the United States, for at least the past decade, half of the graduating attorneys from law schools in Argentina and Peru have been women. However, female attorneys in these countries and across the hemisphere face challenges for career advancement.

At a weekend Buenos Aires summit, leaders talked about energy needs. As Bolivia falls short in meeting natural gas export demands, Argentina and Brazil may look to nuclear power as a solution.

South American heads of state converged in Buenos Aires Sunday for the launch of Banco del Sur, a project hatched by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The bank's birth marked Argentine head of state Nestor Kirchner's last day in office before the inauguration of his wife, Cristina. During a September AS/COA event, she discussed Argentina's economic recovery.

Chances appeared strong for resolving a pulp mill dispute between Argentina and Uruguay weeks ago. By November's end, Montevideo closed bridges linking the countries while Argentines protested. An AS/COA update examines challenges for Argentina's next President Cristina Kirchner.