Newly appointed Colombian Mines and Energy Minister Tomás González will join the Inter-American Dialogue at a private breakfast meeting in Bogotá to discuss the important role of the oil and mining sectors in funding government efforts to promote peace and economic development in the country. Colombia has to remain competitive with other major producers such as Mexico to attract needed investment in extractive industries. Energy poverty and competitiveness of electricity tariffs are also priorities for the current administration. Millions of Colombians lack access to power, while additional gas-fired generation, new regulation and greater energy efficiency will be necessary to bring down high electricity tariffs.

Panelists will discuss US–Colombia relations, the peace process, the North American energy boom, and hemispheric energy advances and their effects on Colombia.