A Program of CIFAL Atlanta

• Co-hosted by Hemisphere, Inc., the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Federation for Latin American Cities, Municipalities and Associations (FLACMA), the Argentinean Federation of Municipalities (FAM), and the United Cities and Local Governments (CGLU)

• November 3, 2005, Mar del Plata, Argentina

Summit of the Americas Concludes

MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina – The 34 Heads of State and Governments from the Western Hemisphere concluded the Fourth Summit of the Americas on November 5, after adopting a political declaration and an ambitious plan of action designed to create jobs, combat poverty and strengthen democratic governance

Declaration of Mar del Plata
English / Español

Plan of Action of the IV Summit of the Americas
English / Español / Português

Media - Georgia Delegation to Participate in Americas Summit Event 

In its pursuit of strengthening governments at the local level CIFAL Atlanta, the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Federation for Latin American Cities, Municipalities and Associations (FLACMA), and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) organized the first-ever forum for Latin American authorities as part of the framework for the IV Summit of the Americas on November 3, 2005. The forum brought together local leaders from throughout the Western Hemisphere to discuss ways on how best to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

CIFAL Executive Director Axel Leblois noted that, "This was the first time that local authorities from the Americas have formally taken part in the Summit of the Americas and we were pleased that SEDI-OAS, FLACMA, along with FAM and UCLG cooperated with CIFAL Atlanta to organize this important first. Municipalities and local governments are critical actors in achieving the MDGs set forth by the UN and CIFAL Atlanta is entirely dedicated to helping achieve those goals."

The forum provided local authorities with a new platform for dialogue where they were able to share experiences and accelerate the process of strengthening the role played by local governments in this new century.   More than 100 mayors, legislators and governors from Canada, Central and South America participated in the forum. Argentina's Vice President, Daniel Scioli, who visited Atlanta in July, delivered the forum's inaugural address.

The forum was a rare opportunity for Atlanta and Georgia representatives to engage senior officials at the municipal and ministerial levels, while demonstrating the State's on-going commitment to addressing hemispheric diplomacy issues.