The summit includes dozens of leaders from throughout the Western Hemisphere and it focuses on cooperation between countries and addressing the challenges facing the people of the Americas.

参加峰会的有数十位来自西半球的领导人，其会议主义侧重于国家间合作和解决美洲地区人民面临的挑战。

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Confronting the economic downturn and preventing it from boosting hemispheric poverty rates will be urgent priorities at the Summit of the Americas, according U.S.Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs,Tom Shannon.

VOA: standard.2009.04.15

Leaders of the 34 nations of the Western Hemisphere ended their fourth Summit of the Americas this weekend with no agreement to create a free trade zone for the region.

NPR: Latin America Summit Ends with No Free-Trade Zone

He has also said he would promote the role of U.S. charities and relief organizations in the region, maintain economic sanctions on Cuba, seek special negotiating authority to strike speedier trade deals with nations in the Western Hemisphere and establish a free-trade area for the Americas.

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And the recent hostage rescue simulation -- which used live ammunition and high-tech weapons -- was part of more than a year of training to prepare for the Summit of the Americas, which will draw 33 heads of state and government from across the Western Hemisphere to Cartagena, Colombia, this weekend.

CNN: Colombia steps up security for summit