U.S. Delegation including State Department, OPIC, USTDA & USAID confirmed for 30th Annual Miami Conference

Washington, D.C.–Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA) announced today that a senior-level U.S. delegation will attend the 30th Annual Miami Conference. The delegation includes Thomas Shannon, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, Robert Mosbacher, President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Thelma Askey, Administrator of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and Adolfo Franco, Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Also invited is Karen Harbert, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, Everett Eisenstatt, Assistant Trade Representative, USTR and Michael Jackson, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Thomas Shannon was confirmed as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs in October 2005. The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs is responsible for managing and promoting U.S. interests in the region by supporting democracy, trade, and sustainable economic development, and fostering cooperation on issues such as drug trafficking and crime, poverty reduction, and environmental protection.

Robert Mosbacher was elected as President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) in October 2005. OPIC, established in 1971 helps U.S. businesses invest overseas, fosters economic development in new and emerging markets, complements the private sector in managing risks associated with foreign direct investment, and supports U.S. foreign policy.

Thelma Askey was sworn into office as Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) on June 4, 2001. The agency is involved in building partnerships between U.S. companies and overseas project sponsors to bring proven private sector solutions to developmental challenges. The agency delivers its program commitments through overseas grants, contracts with U.S. firms, and the use of trust funds at several multilateral development bank groups.

Adolfo Franco has served as an Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) since January 2002. The agency supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting: economic growth, agriculture, trade, global health, democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance.

Confirmed Heads of State for this year’s Miami Conference include Prime Minister Owen Arthur of Barbados, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller of Jamaica and President Enrique Bolaños of Nicaragua. Other invited leaders include Prime Minister Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts & Nevis, President Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic, President Manuel Zelaya of Honduras, President Oscar Berger of Guatemala, and President Rene Preval of Haiti.

The Miami Conference titled “A United Third Border” is an important milestone for CCAA as we celebrate 30 years of involvement in the economic development of the Caribbean Basin, through advocacy, partnerships and alliances with the public and private sectors in the region.

Confirmed sponsors for the Miami Conference include Scotiabank, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Enterprise Florida, Tropical Shipping, Florida FTAA, PriceSmart, Seaboard Marine, SOGENER, Angostura, Bladex, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Port of Miami, Rums of Barbados, Santa Lucia Estate Coffee and Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice LLC.

CCAA is a non-governmental organization that promotes private sector-led economic development in the Caribbean Basin. More information on the organization and the Annual Miami Conference can be found by visiting CCAA's website at www.c-caa.org.

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