Business leaders from around the hemisphere will meet in Panama City, Panama, from May 31 through June 2, to offer ideas on “Energy for Development in the Americas,” the central theme that will be discussed by the Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly when it convenes shortly thereafter in the Panamanian capital.

The Private Sector Forum will provide an opportunity to define proposals on this issue, with a view to presenting their recommendations to the region’s 34 foreign ministers, who begin their three-day meeting on June 3.

OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza said that innovation and guidance from the private sector, together with governmental leadership, will be essential to help find solutions to the energy challenges of the 21st century.

“Energy is critical for economic progress and the well-being of all citizens of the Americas,” Insulza said, noting that the availability and price of energy resources, as well as their economic and environmental impact, are some of the issues that will be debated in Panama. “We face increasingly urgent challenges that demand that we think about what energy resources we use and how we use them,” he added.

The Private Sector Forum will bring together business leaders, experts on energy and economic issues, as well as key public authorities, including the President of Panama, Martín Torrijos. High-level executives from energy companies that operate in the region have also confirmed their participation.

The private sector representatives will provide recommendations on the following issues: “Energy, cooperation and integration”; “The future of sustainable energy”; and “Biofuels as alternatives for the transportation sector.” Their recommendations will be presented to the OAS member states on June 2, prior to the opening of the 37th period of sessions of the General Assembly.

Reference: E-079/07