Atlanta has been selected to once again host the Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) in 2008, an event organized in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce ...
Atlanta has been selected to once again host the Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) in 2008, an event organized in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
ACF provides a venue for decision makers to discuss how to strengthen competitiveness in the region and to enhance public-private partnerships.
The Forum is expected to bring more than 1,000 government officials and private sector leaders from the 34 democracies of the Western Hemisphere to Atlanta. In addition, representatives from civil society, media, academia, and non-governmental organizations from these regions will be in attendance.
During the three-day Forum, U.S. Cabinet members will meet with their counterparts, Ministers from Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada. Last year Secretaries Carlos Gutierrez, Henry Paulson and Margaret Spellings hosted the dialogues.
CIFAL Atlanta, a not-for profit organization created by the United Nations and the City of Atlanta, will implement the Forum in close coordination with the International Trade Administration. Mayor Franklin currently serves as Chair of CIFAL Atlanta Board of Trustees.
“It is an honor for our community to be recognized as a knowledge center on a hemispheric basis. Our city’s reputation on competitiveness and logistics, the excellence of its academic institutions and its diplomatic relations with all nations in the Americas was taken into consideration when selected for the second year in a row to host this historical meeting,” said Mayor Franklin.
“We know that the most successful negotiations are conducted in the spirit of friendship and mutual interest. We welcome our neighbors from Latin America and the Caribbean standing on the principles of civil and human rights which are Atlanta's heritage, and are resonant in the hearts of people worldwide.”
Atlanta hosted the inaugural ACF in 2007. The 2008 ACF is tentatively scheduled for August 17-19, 2008.