The Argentina-U.S. Strategic Forum was established in 2017 by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. as a means to promote a closer and more stable bilateral relationship between Argentina and the United States, independent of the change in political leadership in either country. The Strategic Forum is led by representatives from the private sector and counts on the participation of public sector representatives, including from the executive, legislative, and judicial powers. Cooperation, both between our governments and between the private sectors and our societies, is an important factor in contributing to stability not only between the two countries, but also in the Americas region.  Lastly, the Forum complements existing platforms for official bilateral discussions, including the High-Level Consultative Mechanism, the Bilateral Commercial Dialogue, and other fora.

During the past two years, the Strategic Forum has launched various initiatives in areas of strategic importance, including: international trade and the promotion of Argentine exports; the accession of Argentina to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); the importance of promoting national savings and the deepening of capital markets in Argentina; public policies in the judicial sector; and public policies in the health sector; and the promotion of informational technology.  

The Argentina-U.S. Strategic Forum 2020

Within the context of the new administration of President Alberto Fernández, the Forum is a very relevant and timely bilateral platform. The Forum has expressed its willingness and availability to collaborate with the new government on strategic issues which the Forum has actively worked on during the past years, as well as on new strategic topics. This collaboration includes CSIS’ organization of public presentations and roundtables in Washington for authorities from the Argentine government. 

The Argentina- U.S. Strategic Forum annual meeting is scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C.  in early March 2020. This will be the fourth annual Forum meeting and will serve as an opportunity for a senior public-private Argentine delegation to meet with high-level officials from the U.S. government and international organizations to share the economic and political reality in Argentina and to present the results of the Forum’s Working Groups.  These meetings are usually hosted by CSIS President Dr. John Hamre and co-chaired by Starr Group Chairman Maurice (Hank) Greenberg and Pan American Energy Chairman Marcos Bulgheroni.

In 2020, the work of the Argentina-U.S. Strategic Forum will also focus on international trade, Argentine accession to the OECD, health and judicial sector reforms, and the promotion of the information technology sector.  A program on the 2020 U.S. Presidential and Congressional elections is currently being developed for Forum members and invited guests.

For more information about the Argentina-U.S. Strategic Forum, please contact Michael Matera at mmatera@csis.org