Los Angeles to host 9th Summit of the Americas

View of skyline seen through plants (© Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)
Los Angeles will host the Summit of the Americas this summer. (© Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)

For the first time since its inaugural meeting in 1994, the United States is hosting the Summit of the Americas in June.

The Summit of the Americas brings together heads of state and other leaders from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean to advance shared goals for the Western Hemisphere.

“The vital national interests of the United States are inextricably bound to the fortunes of our closest neighbors in the Americas,” the White House says. “To that end, the ability of our democracies to close the gap between what we promise and what we deliver depends in no small part on what we do, together, to make it better.”

This year, Los Angeles — a city with deep cultural, economic and historic ties to Latin America and home to many thriving diaspora communities — will host the ninth summit where Western Hemisphere leaders will discuss building a sustainable and resilient future. Commitments made during the summit have the potential to transform the hemisphere, and the lives of those who live in it.

During stakeholder forums spread out over five days, leaders and participants will discuss:

      • A green future and clean energy.
      • Fostering youth participation in politics.
      • Economic prosperity.
      • Democratic governance.
      • COVID-19 recovery and pandemic resilience.
      • Migration.
      • Transforming the Western Hemisphere’s digital infrastructure.

Even as official events span the ambitious agenda, Los Angeles-area universities, think tanks and communities will similarly engage on the key issues.

“The United States looks forward to convening leaders and stakeholders across the hemisphere to advance our shared commitment to economic prosperity, security, human rights, and dignity,” the White House said.