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Category: World News

Panama City, Panama - At the 7th Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama, President Obama highlighted the commitment of the United States to upholding the essential role independent civil society and the private sector play in contributing to a shared democratic agenda that benefits all of the people of the Americas.

The 2015 Summit of the Americas demonstrated the global importance of the region and the progress we have made over the last two decades to improve people’s lives.  Our region’s leaders must continue to work together, focusing on pressing issues that need our attention and action, so that we redouble our commitment to a more prosperous, safe, sustainable, equal, and democratic Western Hemisphere.

President Obama worked with his counterparts to build on partnerships introduced at the 2009 Summit in Trinidad and Tobago and the 2012 Summit in Colombia to launch a series of initiatives:

Democracy and Citizen Participation

In his meeting with civil society leaders, the President announced the support of the United States for civil society’s effort to establish a permanent public consultative mechanism and role in the Summits of the Americas.

Economic Growth and Opportunity

Building from the Broadband Partnership of the Americas that President Obama launched in 2012, the United States will work with its partners to increase the adoption of fixed and mobile broadband service the deployment of broadband infrastructure as necessary.

Clean and Sustainable Energy Future

In his meeting with leaders, the President sought to ensure that all countries in the hemisphere have open access to climate data and information that enhance their capabilities for resilient development by 2020.  The United States will contribute to achieving the President’s goal by applying for accreditation as a Regional Climate Center by the end of 2015.