The Eurasia Center organizes an Annual BRICS Conference in Washington, DC every May. It features South Africa and what role the BRICS Nations can do, with America, in developing the nations of Africa. This year was the 6th Annual Doing Business with the BRICS Conference and was held at the Ambassador Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu delivering the keynote address. In addition, officials from the Eurasia Center, the Eurasian Business Coalition (EBC) and Uplifting Africa Program donated a portrait of Nelson Mandela painted by an Artist from South Africa who lives in Los Angeles. The BRICS Conference was a success and many important experts, government officials and business leaders participated. The Inter-American Defense Board hosted the second half of the program and Brigadier General Bocio delivered the keynote address in the afternoon.