ATLANTIC BUSINESS FORUM Jose Maria Aznar (f. President Spain) ATLANTIC The Eminent Persons Group of the Atlantic Basin Initiative has called for the creation of the ATLANTIC BUSINESS FORUM, a pan-Atlantic Business Initiative aiming to advance an Atlantic Agenda for economic growth and human development among the four continents of the Atlantic Basin. This outstanding network includes more than 100 political leaders, intellectuals and businessmen, including 20 former heads of state. Olusegun Obasanjo (f. President Nigeria) Álvaro Uribe (f. President Colombia) The Atlantic Basin Initiative was launched by the prestigious John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and it is spearheaded by the former President of Spain José María Aznar and the Director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations, Dan Hamilton. The initiative seeks to build a new foundation of cooperation for the Atlantic hemisphere to generate sustainable and inclusive growth, provide greater access to energy, and promote human development and security. BUSINESS More commerce flows within the Atlantic Basin than any other; and never have so many workers and consumers entered the Atlantic Economy as quickly and suddenly as in the past fifteen years. Parts of Africa are already amongst the fastest growing regions in the world. North-South American commercial ties are burgeoning, and Europe’s commercial ties to both Latin America and Africa are substantial. Despite of the powers and recent economic turbulence, North America and Europe remain the fulcrum of the world economy. And while rapidly developing countries in Latin America and Africa are best known for their inexpensive goods and commodities they supply to the rest of the world, their consumers are also connecting with the global market place, and in coming years they will become major engines of the global economy. FORUM Ana Palacio (f. Vicepresident World Bank) The Atlantic Hemisphere accounts for more than half of global GDP. Growing commercial connections across the four Atlantic continents offer considerable potential; but they are challenged by a range of developments such as stalled multilateral an bi-regional trade negotiations, domestic protectionist challenges, trade-distorting measures, obstacles to development, and failures to build constituencies for inclusive growth. With this in mind, the Atlantic Business Forum emerges as a gathering of private and public sector leaders to advance an Atlantic Business Agenda that can unleash the power of business to encourage trade, promote sustainable development and generate connectivity among businesses through the Atlantic Hemisphere. The Forum pursues to develop a road map to advance greater commercial opportunities throughout the Atlantic Basin. Recommendations will be conveyed to business and government leaders throughout the Atlantic Hemisphere. action Promote prosperity through freer trade and investment D. Hamilton (Director ABI), V. Nasr (Dean SAIS) • Adopt the long-term goal of free and open investment among the four Atlantic continents by creating an Atlantic Business Advisory Forum to recommend concrete steps. • Ensure that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is part of an open architecture of international trade and open to accession or association by third countries. • Harmonize trade preferences arrangements for low-income African countries. Promote a Financial Agenda Brenthurst-Oppenheimer, South Africa • Increase the availability of capital • Stimulate financial connectivity • Reduce risks and strengthen confidence Accelerating Atlantic Connectivity • Promoting good regulatory practices and strengthening cultures of lawfulness • Accelerating infrastructure development • Expediting cross-border education, tourist flows, skilled labor and business travel mobility. An Atlantic Business Travel Card ABI Initiative, Dominican Republic Reduce Poverty and Inequality • Make reduce poverty and inequality a central economic goal. • Enhance social mobility by expanding and improving education and adopting less regressive public spending and sustainable social policies targeted at the poor. • Remove obstacles that impede access to opportunities. ABI Initiative, Veracruz, Mexico Pedro Pasos Coelho (Prime Minister Portugal) MEETING The ATLANTIC BUSINESS FORUM will be held on June Thursday 4 and Friday 5, 2015 in Estoril, located on the beautiful coastline west of Lisbon, Portugal. Participation is open to Eminent Persons, public sector leaders, government ministers, and regulators of the Atlantic countries as well as to Chairmen and CEOs of business corporations based or operating in the Atlantic. SUPPORT Belém Tower The ATLANTIC BUSINESS FORUM, through Johns Hopkins University’s CTR, is a nonprofit tax exempt 501 (C) organization of the United States Internal Revenue Code. It seeks sponsorship to fund the academic and research work, and the travelling and accommodation expenses of the Eminent Persons attending the meeting. Donors will be acknowledged in all ATLANTIC BUSINESS FORUM’s activities and materials, delivering on company business objectives. The sponsorship program for corporations can adapt to their marketing strategy and brand recognition through different types of funding partnership. Palácio da Pena (Sintra) ATLANTIC BUSINESS FORUM Hotel Palácio Estoril Villanueva 29. 28001 Madrid. Spain t. 0034 910 32 19 23 m. 0034 625 98 89 56 www. atlantic-forum.org abf@atlantic-forum.org