The fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago scheduled to be held on
April 17-19, 2009 will be the first hemispheric forum for President-elect Barack Obama to
engage with leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean. The Port of Spain Summit will
also be the first meeting of all 34 democratic heads of government from Latin America, the
Caribbean, Canada, and the United States since the contentious 2005 Summit in Mar del Plata,
Argentina. Taking place less than four months after his inauguration, the Summit could set the
tone for hemispheric relations during the early stages of the new Administration.
There have been four Summits of the Americas, two Special Summits of the Americas, and a
number of ministerial-level summits held since 1994. Past Summits have led to a number of
successful initiatives in the region, including the creation of the Inter-American Democratic
Charter, reductions in the cost of remittance transfers, and increased provision of anti-retroviral
therapy to victims of HIV/AIDS. Although some view the most recent Summit as a failure
because of its divisiveness, it too produced a number of important initiatives, including support
for Haiti?s democracy, improved infrastructure, and reductions in child labor.
Despite these accomplishments, many observers have criticized the Summits of the Americas.
Civil society representatives contend that the Summits lack transparency and believe their
organizations should play larger roles in the Summit process. Some observers have questioned the
Summits? effectiveness, drawing attention to the fact that the majority of Summit goals have
never been met. Other analysts doubt the Summits? ability to advance U.S. interests and argue
that the United States should pursue its own priorities outside of the Summit process.
The theme for the Port of Spain Summit is, ?Securing our citizens? future by promoting human
prosperity, energy security, and environmental sustainability.? Summit organizers have stressed
the need to refocus the hemisphere?s priorities, set achievable goals, and create the institutions
necessary to hold countries accountable for implementing the Summits? mandates. As a result, the
Draft Declaration of Commitment of the Summit focuses on areas of consensus in the
hemisphere, such as promoting human prosperity, promoting energy security and environmental
sustainability, and strengthening public security and democratic governance. The Draft
Declaration also sets measurable goals and seeks to strengthen the follow-up mechanisms of the
Summit process. Congress may be particularly interested in a number of initiatives concerning
energy, the environment, and social justice which coincide with proposals of the Obama
Administration since it may be asked to commit U.S. resources to projects in the region. This
report will be updated as events warrant.