Summits of the Americas

What are the Summits of the Americas? How many Summits of the Americas have taken place? When and where? Who participates in the Summits of the Americas? When and where is the next Summit of the Americas? What is the main objective of the Summits of the Americas Process? Who is the Chair of the Summits of the Americas Process? How are decisions made at the Summits of the Americas? What is the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG)? What issues are discussed at the Summits of the Americas? What is the role of the Summits of the Americas Secretariat? What is the role of international organizations in the Summits of the Americas? How can civil society organizations, the private sector, and academia participate in the Summits of the Americas? How can I obtain information about the Summit of the Americas Process? How can I apply for an internship with the Summits of the Americas Secretariat?
1.- What are the Summits of the Americas?	Top of the Page
The Summits of the Americas are periodic meetings that bring together the thirty-four democratically elected Heads of State and Government of the Americas to discuss and make decisions on issues of relevance for the region.
2.- How many Summits of the Americas have taken place? When and where?	Top of the Page
Six Summits of the Americas have taken place: First Summit of the Americas, Miami, Florida, December 9-11, 1994 Summit of the Americas on Sustainable Development, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, December 7-8, 1996 Second Summit of the Americas, Santiago, Chile, April 18-19, 1998 Third Summit of the Americas, Quebec City, Canada, April 20-22, 2001 Special Summit of the Americas, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, January 12-13, 2004 Fourth Summit of the Americas, Mar del Plata, Argentina, November 4-5, 2005
3.- Who participates in the Summits of the Americas?	Top of the Page
The participants of the Summits of the Americas are the Heads of State and Government of the thirty-four Member States of the OAS and their delegations. In addition, the heads of the member institutions of the Joint Summit Working Group (JSWG) participate as observers. The institutions comprising the JSWG are: the Organization of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the United Nations Economic Commission on Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Bank (WB), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IIICA), the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA). Special guests include representatives of civil society, the private sector, academia, and the media.
4.- When and where is the next Summit of the Americas?	Top of the Page
The Fifth Summit of the Americas will be held in Trinidad & Tobago in 2009.
5.- What is the main objective of the Summits of the Americas Process?	Top of the Page
To analyze and discuss the problems and challenges that the Americas face in order to jointly seek solutions and improve the quality of life of the citizens of the Americas. The Summits of the Americas Process is a “commitment to hemispheric integration and national and collective responsibility for improving the economic well-being and security of our people” (Quebec City Declaration).
6.- Who is the Chair of the Summits of the Americas Process?	Top of the Page
The Chair of the Summits of the Americas Process is the host country of the Summit. Trinidad and Tobago, the host of the upcoming Ffifth Summit of the Americas, is the current Chair.
7.- How are decisions made at the Summits of the Americas?	Top of the Page
The decisions made at the Summits of the Americas are reached through consensus by the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG).
8.- What is the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG)?	Top of the Page
The governments of the 34 OAS Member States, represented by the National Summit Coordinators, comprise the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG). The SIRG is the political body responsible for following-up on Summit mandates, coordinating the Summit agenda, and preparing for future Summits. The SIRG meets on average three times a year; one of these meetings is at the ministerial level, in the framework of the OAS General Assembly.
9.- What issues are discussed at the Summits of the Americas?	Top of the Page
Government representatives discuss political, economic and social issues at the Summits of the Americas. The issues discussed reflect hemispheric concerns introduced by the various countries.
10.- What is the role of the Summits of the Americas Secretariat?	Top of the Page
The Summits of the Americas Secretariat of the OAS serves as the institutional memory and technical Secretariat of the Summits Process, supports Member States in mandate follow-up and preparation for future Summits, and coordinates the support of the OAS in the implementation of Summit mandates. In addition, as chair of the Joint Summit Working Group, the Summits of the Americas Secretariat coordinates participation of international organizations and facilitates the participation of civil society, the private sector, academia and other actors interested in the Summit Process.
11.- What is the role of international organizations in the Summits of the Americas?	Top of the Page
International organizations provide support to governments in the implementation and follow-up of Presidential mandates. Additionally, through the Joint Summit Working Group chaired by the OAS, international institutions coordinate their activities in support of the Summit Process and report on their actions in the implementation of mandates. In the preparation and negotiation for the Summits, international organizations provide technical advice in their respective areas of expertise, to the countries that require or seek such assistance.
12.- How can civil society organizations, the private sector, and academia participate in the Summits of the Americas?	Top of the Page
The Summits of the Americas Process initially began as a process of negotiation between governments and has evolved to incorporate diverse social actors. Today, there are several ways to participate in the Summits of the Americas Process, whether through participation in activities that provide recommendations, or through forums and seminars organized by the Summits of the Americas Secretariat. For this end, the Secretariat compiles and periodically updates the events related to the Summits Process on its calendar of activities.
13.- How can I obtain information about the Summit of the Americas Process?	Top of the Page
You can obtain information through this website, which is the official information source for the Summit Process and compiles its institutional memory. You may also request additional information by email: summit-info@oas.org or via the following mailing address: Summits of the Americas Secretariat Organization of American States 1889 F St. NW Washington, D.C. 20006 www.summitsoftheamericas.org
14.- How can I apply for an internship with the Summits of the Americas Secretariat?	Top of the Page
The Summits of the Americas Secretariat offers a limited number of non-paid internships to undergraduate and graduate students from different universities in the Americas. Students should be knowledgeable about the areas covered by the Summits Process. Internship applications should be sent to Ms. Mary Baldwin (Mbaldwin@oas.org) at the OAS Internship Program. The application should specify that you are applying for an internship at the Summits of the Americas Secretariat of the OAS.

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