A couple things on this particular conference. It sounds like past conferences have been extremely successful in matching private industry with the various government needs of countries around the world. Their last conference was on Afghanistan, and it was so successful that they have decided to do more of them. And usually these things take a little time to put together, but because Haiti just popped up on the scene, they have decided to put together a special conference just for that disaster.
They are also donating the proceeds made at the conference to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, and that is awesome. Bravo guys and I hope the conference is a success. I know Haiti needs action and not just words, and when the dust settles and all of the media and celebrities have packed up and gone home, there will still be a Haiti that needs to rebuild. And because most of the companies that the IPOA deals with, have extensive experience in rebuilding in that other disaster called ‘war’, I think Haiti will be well served. Haiti also has all the power right now. They can pick and choose what they want, and they can fire who they don’t want helping them. The big one here is that they have some operating capital, thanks to all the donations world wide, and they will have plenty of assistance on how to properly spend that money to get the most bang for the buck.
Private industry will answer the call, and the IPOA and GIS will be an excellent catalyst for that process. –Matt
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Global Investment Summits
The United Nations has labelled the devastating January 2010 Haiti earthquake and its aftermath as one of the world’s ‘worst humanitarian crises in decades’.
International organisations, aid agencies and governments mobilised a massive emergency relief effort in its aftermath, bringing immediate assistance to millions of victims. The critical emergency relief phase now remains to be followed by a second phase of recovery and rebuilding, the outcomes of which will be essential to assuring the long-term infrastructural and economic rehabilitation of the country and the wellbeing of millions of Haitians. World leaders and international bodies have envisioned the need for a minimum 10-year reconstruction period. The UN and other organisations such as the World Bank will carry out post-disaster needs assessments to gauge the extent of the damage and needs in all fields in the following weeks.
The private sector will play a pivotal role in long term reconstruction projects in Haiti. The significance of including the private sector in reconstruction operations has been acknowledged by the Reconstruction Principles set out at the recent international summit on Haiti in Montreal, Canada. The private sector is undoubtedly essential to ensure that maximum amounts of aid can be delivered and distributed and that reconstruction projects operate successfully and beneficially.
This not-for-profit event constitutes a partnership between Global Investment Summits and the IPOA. Jointly, we plan to bring relevant international organisations and aid agencies together with key players from the private sector. The discussion and meeting-oriented format of the summit will allow the parties involved to begin addressing the vast efforts required to reconstruct Haitian infrastructure and rehabilitate the country’s economy and society. Most significantly, all profits from the event will be donated to leading Haitian relief funds.
The objective of the summit is to help rebuild the political, economic and commercial hubs of Haiti, particularly in the devastated capital, Port-au-Prince. With an estimated 60% of the country’s GDP eradicated, up to half of building infrastructure ruined and damaged in the capital, and nearly 1 million displaced people, rebuilding the nation will prove to be a massively complex process. The summit aims to contribute to the reconstruction efforts in fields spanning from logistics, transport and communications infrastructure to security sector reform, whilst helping ensure stability for and the welfare of Haitians in terms of medical and nutritional aid and shelter.
Priority Areas
Attendance is crucial for all wishing to add their expertise to the aid and rebuilding process about to be undertaken in Haiti. With key decision makers taking part this event in order to meet with reputable companies, the platform provided by will ensure the vital reconstruction processes will get underway as soon as possible. Sectors of particular interest are:
Logistics and TransportLogistics providers play a pivotal role in any reconstruction efforts and are especially significant in this case. Supply chain management, freight transportation, operational management skills and resource knowledge are just some of the logistical prerequisites to ensuring the flow of aid and the operational viability of long-term rehabilitation projects in Haiti.
Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and SanitationExperts are increasingly concerned about the possibility of infectious disease outbreaks in Haiti, particularly during the upcoming rainy season, and about potential health problems due to unclean water, devastated sanitation facilities and malnutrition. Aid and supplies in the form of medical staff, equipment, pharmaceuticals and emergency clinics will be vital to ensure the wellbeing of both Haitians and foreign relief teams operating in the country.Shelter, Settlements and Food SecurityGiven the tremendous amount of physical destruction in affected areas, material for camps, shelters and settlements is essential. For instance, hundreds of thousands of tents are needed immediately to accommodate displaced people in tent villages around the capital. In the medium to long-term, rapid housing structures and modular housing systems will also be critical. There are grave concerns about food shortages and malnutrition amongst the population, with President Preval having recently made an appeal for an additional 26 million ready-made meals to be donated.Security, Stability and Security Sector ReformThe provision of security to both Haitian civilians and international operators within the country will be an essential part of the reconstruction process. Given vast numbers of distressed and displaced victims there is a high potential for instability as well as problems such as looting and gang activities in camps and settlements. Physical and material safety and a stable sociopolitical climate are fundamental to facilitate future complex reconstruction projects and encourage investment in Haiti.
Construction, Reconstruction and Infrastructure DevelopmentIn the most affected areas, more than 50% of buildings and physical infrastructure have been damaged and destroyed, including hospitals, schools and government and administrative buildings. Companies operating in the construction industry will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in rebuilding such essential infrastructure throughout the country.
Information and Communication TechnologiesMuch of the communication infrastructure, such as telecoms, has been damaged and destroyed throughout the capital of Port-au-Prince and in other affected areas. Given that relief efforts and reconstruction projects are dependent on the reliable functioning of communication networks and technologies, expertise in ICT will be a significant priority in the rehabilitation of Haiti.
International Support
The reconstruction of Haiti can only be achieved with the support of the International Community. This event aims to bring together important Government Officials, Organisations and Private Companies who can make a significant impact in the process. Global Investment Summits, together with the IPOA, have invited the following to attend and take part in this crucial summit:
VIP Invitees
President Bill Clinton
President George W. Bush
Aid Organisations, Governmental, Financial and Military Support
International, Development and Aid Organisations
Organisation of American States
Pan American Development Foundation
America’s Development Foundation
Refugees International
Oxfam Canada
IPOA
CARE International
American Red Cross
InterAction
Save the Children
Merlin
RedR Engineers for Disaster Relief
American Refugee Committee International
Action for Technical Cooperation Development
Financial Institutions
World Bank
International Monetary Fund
Inter-American Development Bank
Government and Military Representatives
Permanent Representative of Haiti to the UN
US Ambassador to Haiti
United Nations Stabilisation Mission to Haiti
United States Southern Command
USAID
AFCEE
Congresman D-FL
Think Tanks and Academic
Georgetown University
RAND Corporation
UN
UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance
UN High Commission for Refugees
UN Development Fund
UN Habitat
UN Disaster Assessment Coordination Team
World Health Organisation
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN
This is a Not-For-Profit Event
This summit is organised by Global Investment Summits in conjunction with the IPOA. All profits from this event will go to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.
In the aftermath of the disaster, President Barack Obama asked President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush to raise funds for immediate, high-impact relief and long-term recovery efforts to help those who are most in need of assistance. In response, the two Presidents established the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund (CBHF) to respond to unmet needs in the country, foster economic opportunity, improve the quality of life over the long term for those affected, and assist the people of Haiti as they rebuild their lives and “build back better.” The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund will do this by working with and supporting the efforts of reputable 501(c)(3) nongovernmental and nonprofit organizations. Presidents Clinton and Bush oversee the CBHF through their respective nonprofit organizations, the William J. Clinton Foundation and Communities Foundation of Texas.
One hundred percent of donations received by the Clinton Foundation and the Communities Foundation of Texas go directly to relief efforts.
Unique Format
Unique Format
The summit benefits from a proven event model that combines plenary addresses on key areas with the opportunity for private discussions between attending companies and the various international delegations in attendance. This format is aimed at ensuring that attending companies have the opportunity to meet with leading stakeholders and demonstrate the important role they have to play in the aid, reconstruction and redevelopment of Haiti, essentially making for a mutually beneficial multi-lateral relations forum:
Both mornings will see senior figures outline priorities in aiding the healing process and rebuilding of Haiti and the principal areas for reconstruction
Prior to the summit, confirmed sponsors and delegates will have the opportunity to pre-schedule meetings with those individuals, ministries and organisations most relevant to their core business activities
The afternoons will see the summit venue converted from a theatre-style format to a series of roundtable, where leading officials will take private consultations with attending contractors and investors
Limited sponsorship and branding opportunities will be available to the most suitable global operators
Summit Location
As the venue for the summit, Miami lies just 681 miles north west of Haiti. With a large Haitian population, South Florida has rushed to aid of those devastated by the earthquake, opening its hospitals to those airlifting in and supplying staff and equipment to efforts on the ground. With Little Haiti located just north of downtown Miami, it has become the focal point and epicentre of Haitian life in the United States.
We look forward to welcoming you in Miami
About Us
Global Investment Summits is a provider of business summits that transcend the boundaries of the traditional conference model, focusing on personal interaction and forging business ties within emerging markets for the development of core infrastructure and the promotion of trade and investment within countries that are vast in economic potential.
Utilising a unique format that combines informed content with the opportunity for private consultation with senior decision makers, the company has forged close ties with international governments, leading public bodies, multilateral institutions, non-governmental organisations and the global business community to provide a wide range of business opportunities for those companies keen to do business at the highest level within some of the world’s most lucrative markets.
Benefits of Attending
The chance to hear senior decision makers outline their procurement and partnership priorities, focusing on plans to develop core infrastructure and build long-lasting relationships with the international business communityOpportunities to hold private pre-scheduled meetings with decision makers, to discuss in personhow your company can best meet their needs and establish commercial agreementsUtilising the funds available from governments and international actors to rebuild a wide range of sectors, furthering international cooperation and using differing levels of expertise to meet a common goalGaining tangible return on investment through the opportunity to meet with all key actorsunder one roof for a concentrated period of time
Our experience in delivering these summits and in utilising our unrivalled contact base throughout the world ensures our success, while the wide range of invaluable business information available at each individual summit provides the perfect forum for furthering business activities to the benefit of all.