Miami Conference to Address Energy Security & Alternatives

Washington, D.C.–Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA) announced today that the stresses and challenges of a volatile energy market during a global financial crisis will be a major topic at this year’s Miami Conference on the Caribbean and Central America, taking place at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami, Florida, from December 1-3, 2008.

With the spike in oil prices earlier this year, the issue of energy supply and security took center stage.  Many governments were trying to address power shortages, the link between energy and food security, and the implications of investing further in biofuels projects as a means of securing sustainable development.  According to  CCAA Executive Director, Anton Edmunds: “As the region continues to prosper its dependence on energy will continue to increase regardless of its cost; however, fluctuating oil prices due to a crashing global market have taken policies and investment opportunities in the region on a roller coaster ride. Investor confidence in a volatile energy market will define the region’s future.”

This year’s 32nd Annual Miami Conference will seek to address not only the challenges of a region dependent on imported energy, but also the possibilities and benefits of promoting investments in alternatives. Although energy issues will be an underlying theme at the Conference, two specific sessions will be dedicated to the investment environment that the region is offering to foreign and domestic energy companies, the policies that will be needed to attract investors for alternative and renewable energy projects, and the technologies that are readily available to the region for short term relief and long term energy sustainability.

The Annual Miami Conference continues to be the only forum that focuses solely on the economies of the Caribbean and Central America.  The conference brings leaders from the public sector, the business community and civil society together in a constructive dialogue to address issues affecting the region and its economic prospects. It combines major addresses by political leaders with workshops on industry and public policy issues.  Roundtables give participants the opportunity to participate in a series of interactive discussions with subject-matter experts from the United States, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and Central America on issues vital to the agribusiness, energy, telecommunications, transportation and logistics andtourism industry sectors.

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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