Previewing the Summit of the Americas

The fifth Summit of the Americas, taking place in Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-19, offers leaders of the Western Hemisphere an opportunity to partner on a new and robust agenda that spans global economic, social, energy and climate change issues. What is really at stake and will the leaders be able to forge consensus on critical challenges given the financial crisis and other demands? Will President Barack Obama’s participation mark a new partnership for the United States and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean?

On April 14, the Brookings Institution hosted a discussion of the critical issues facing the leaders attending the summit and proposed recommendations for action. Mauricio Cárdenas, senior fellow and director of the Latin America Initiative at Brookings, lead and moderated the panel discussion. Panelists included Brookings experts Leonardo Martinez-Diaz and Theodore Piccone. A new report by the Latin America Initiative that details the issues and opportunities arising from the summit was also issued. 

Access report: “The Fifth Summit of the Americas: Recommendations for Action” »