The Private Sector of the Americas (SPA) came up with a view to joining the individual efforts of the business leaders concerned about development for the peoples across the continent. Our organization has managed to create a formal and established communication channel with the States through the Organization of American States (OAS).

       The SPA has experienced an exponential growth in the last five years. We have successfully gathered the most important leaders from the region every year to discuss the different roads that need to be taken concerning critical issues such as energy, governance, transparency, and education, all within the framework of the General Assemblies of the Organization of American States.

      We have created a channel for an open and fluent dialogue with the heads of OAS Member States. This, in turn, translates into renewed political agendas focused on job creation, poverty mitigation, and a more fair and equitable society.

       From the very beginning, we undertook the commitment to making the SPA an agent for social change. Accordingly, we have supported the creation of highly- skilled management teams capable of striving for efficient, responsible, transparent, and committed negotiations with the different organizations and their respective environments.

       The secondary role the business sector used to play in the social sphere has radically changed now. Experience has helped us understand that the only way to achieve improvements and deliver further benefits for our communities is through the joint efforts of the public and the private sectors, hand in hand with the civil society. During our management, we have certainly accomplished excellent results. However, we are certain our achievements are not enough. 

     We are sure we can extend our cooperation efforts. Yet, to do so all the sectors must integrate even further, redoubling our efforts and working together in our quest to forge a continent capable of nourishing, educating, and creating jobs for every inhabitant.

     Following you will find a short summary of the most relevant activities we have conducted in the last two years of our management. However, I do not want to conclude this message without mentioning that, as a business executive, I am very pleased to chair a successful organization as the Private Sector of the Americas. Moreover, I am fully aware that the goals accomplished so far could have never been possible without the support from all the business leaders, authorities, heads of State, and citizens from the Americas who have cooperated in a number of different ways to promote the development and growth of this institution.

       Thank you very much.

Ernesto Gutiérrez
President - Private Sector of the Americas