The first ASPA Summit took place on May 10 and 11, 2005 in Brasilia. Its participants are members of Unasur and the League of Arab States. Its main purpose is to foster the economic and commercial exchange between these blocs, in addition to seeking consensus on worldwide political matters of the greatest importance.

The Summit of Heads of State and Government shall meet every three years. There is also a Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs that meets every two years to review the status of the relations between the regions. The most recent Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs took place on September 24, 2010 in the framework of the UN General Assembly. Likewise, there is a Council of Senior Officials, which meets twice a year, and sectorial committees on foreign relations, economy, education and culture, social issues and the environment, which also meet twice a year.

For Colombia, ASPA is a strategic scenario for the establishment of a continuous dialogue with the Arab Nations, enhancing bi-regional relations and promoting South-South Cooperation and fostering investment in Colombia.

In light of recent events in the Middle East, the III ASPA Summit that was scheduled for April was suspended.

Web Page: http://www.aspa3.com/