Her
Excellency Carolina Barco
Colombian Ambassador to the United States of America
And other female Ambassadors to the United States for their work in international trade.
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Amb. Carolina Barco, Embassy of Colombia; Mr. Darko Zelenika, DCM, Embassy of Bosnia and Herzogovina; Ms. Rhoda Jackson, Minister-Counsel, Embassy of the Common-wealth of the Bahamas |
On Tuesday September 11th, WIIT hosted its first annual Female Ambassadors event honoring all foreign female Ambassadors to the United States. Colombian Ambassador Carolina Barco was the featured guest and gave keynote address. Her comments stressed the importance of trade, particularly for Colombia as it enters negotiations for the pending Colombian - US free trade agreement. Ambassador and Charge d'Affairs from Austria, The Bahamas, Sultanate of Oman, Principality of Lichtenstein, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Malawi, and the Kingdom of Lesotho were also present, representing their respective countries and moreover women leading the way on trade issues. Akin and Gump graciously provided a picturesque venue where over 65 people enjoyed a cocktail reception provided by DISCUS.
Susan Schmidt, the president of WIIT, took pleasure in introducing Ambassador Barco and highlighted the value and scope of WIIT and their upcoming events. Ambassador Barco's remarks highlighted her and her Latin American counterparts' unfailing efforts to pass free trade agreement in the U.S. Congress. She emphasized the essential role that free trade plays for Colombia, the US, and world economies. Additionally, she discussed Plan Colombia and the continued efforts that the Colombian government is making to eliminate narcotrafficking. Although she wished her country were more readily associated with symbols such as Shakira, Ambassador Barco conceded the severity of Colombia's drug issue and her and the Colombian governments commitment to continued improvement.
The event was undoubtedly
an enormous success and provided WIIT members and their guests an excellent
opportunity to meet these influential women. Thanks to everyone who helped
organize this event!
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Susan
Schmidt, President of WIIT; Hon. Eva Nwotony, Ambassador of Austria;
Tonya Kemp, WIIT President-Elect
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(From left to right) Ambassador Molelekeng Rapolaki, Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho; Ambassador Hunaina Ahmed Al Mughairy, Embassy of the Sultante of Oman; Ambassador Claudia Fritsche, Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein; Ambassador Hawa Nklowe, Embassy of the Republic of Malawi; Ambassador Eva Nowotny, Embassy of Austria; Ambassador Carolina Barco, Embassy of Colombia; Mr. Darko Zelenika, DCM, Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Miss Rhoda Jackson, Minister-Counsel, Embassy of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas