WASHINGTON, CMC—Caribbean Group (CARICOM) international locations Monday basked within the historic election of Albert Ramdin, the Overseas Affairs, Worldwide Enterprise, and Worldwide Cooperation Minister of Suriname. Ramdin grew to become the primary CARICOM nationwide ever to be elected to the highest place of the Group of American States (OAS).
Ramdin was elected for the time period 2025-2030 in the course of the 56th Particular Session of the OAS Common Meeting. He was elected by acclamation following the withdrawal of Rubén Ramírez, the Overseas Minister of Paraguay.
Ramdin succeeds Luis Almagro, who was first elected as OAS Secretary Common in 2015 and re-elected in 2020.
Suriname’s Finance and Planning Minister, Stanley Raghoebarsing, advised the particular session of the OAS that 2025 marks a “particular and historic second” for the OAS as “we have now collectively given our assist to the candidature of an eminently certified individual for the submit of Secretary Common.
“On behalf of the federal government and the individuals of Suriname, I specific appreciation to all …who’ve stood solidly behind the CARICOM candidate. It’s clear that in unity, we will obtain nice issues.
“This particular second represents not solely a milestone within the historical past of our group, however it additionally displays a re-affirmation of our shared dedication to democracy, human rights, safety, and improvement thrust within the Americas.”
Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to the OAS, Sir Ronald Sanders, mentioned that having served as OAS assistant secretary basic from 2005 to 2015, Ramdin brings in depth data of the group, an consciousness of its historic challenges, and a eager perception into the dynamics that form the hemisphere.
“As the brand new Secretary Common embarks on this chapter, he should confront novel challenges head-on whereas addressing the persistent obstacles that proceed to weigh on our collective aspirations.
“On this new period of worldwide uncertainty, it’s incumbent upon the OAS to slim divisions amongst our member states,” Sir Ronald mentioned, including, “Solely via significant dialogue, a spirit of consensus, and a shared imaginative and prescient of progress can we preserve the relevance and vitality of this venerable establishment.”
Jamaica’s Overseas Affairs and Overseas Commerce Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, mentioned her nation has all the arrogance that Ramdin has the “obligatory abilities and experience to construct consensus amongst member states, to boost synergies among the many inter-American our bodies and businesses to successfully have interaction the personal sector and civil society to handle points equivalent to poverty, meals and vitality safety, local weather change, irregular migration and violence in opposition to ladies and ladies.
She added, “It is just via dialogue and collective motion that we will obtain our goals and be sure that the OAS stays a viable multilateral discussion board. ”
For its half, Barbados mentioned the election on Ramdin represents a “constructive chapter within the historical past of the OAS.
“This can be a exceptional first for this 67-year-old group. A company that’s the central pillar of the inter-American system and unites thirty-two international locations at numerous phases of improvement.
“In the present day greater than ever, the 4 pillars of the OAS – fostering peaceable battle decision, democracy, improvement, and human rights bear a lot relevance.
The adoption by acclamation of Suriname to fill this crucial function is a constructive sign for our group,” mentioned Donna Forde, the Director Common of Overseas Affairs and Overseas Commerce within the Ministry of Overseas Affairs and Overseas Commerce.
She mentioned that the hemisphere continues to confront financial instability, which, together with meals insecurity, crime, and violence, compounded by the challenges of the local weather disaster, impacts the well-being of our residents.
“They intensify our vulnerabilities, undermine nationwide and regional stability, and hinder international progress. Within the face of those shared challenges, our hemisphere should train collective management to understand our shared objectives and aspirations. Our objectives are greatest realized via coordinated efforts and a dedication to multilateralism”.
She mentioned CARICOM, as a collective grouping, extremely values its membership in and engagement inside the OAS and that its 14 members, although comparatively small in measurement, convey a powerful custom of democratic governance, respect for the rule of legislation, sturdy and unbiased judiciaries, and protection of human rights and basic freedoms.
“Arguably, the way forward for the OAS hinges on strategic management. The incoming Secretary-Common must be visionary, in a position to drive consensus and orient decisive motion on points crucial to the hemisphere,” Forde mentioned.
Grenada’s Overseas Affairs Minister, Charlie Francis, mentioned Ramdin’s election is a “historic second for all the Caribbean and the Inter-American system.
“Your election displays the OAS’s recognition of the Caribbean’s dedication to democracy, peace, and human rights. It speaks to the significance of numerous management and the constructive affect of various views on the group”.
Francis mentioned the Caribbean has lengthy valued unity and cooperation, “ideas that are foundations of our efforts as a area and the exact same ideas that we belief you’ll carry ahead in your new function.”
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Overseas Minister, Frederick Stephenson, recalled that 77 years in the past, when the 21 governments of this hemisphere signed the OAS Constitution, “nobody might ever ponder {that a} landmark occasion equivalent to this could ever happen.”
On the time, he mentioned the founding members included just one Caribbean nation, Haiti. Nonetheless, he famous that CARICOM international locations gained membership within the OAS in 1967, with Suriname changing into a member in 1977.
‘In the present day, 77 years after the signing of the OAS Constitution and 48 years after the Republic of Suriname grew to become a member of the group, the CARICOM area is assuming the reigns of management of this Group of American States,” he mentioned, including that ‘these numbers inform a compelling story of persistence and perseverance within the true spirit of our noble Caribbean civilization.”
The Bahamas Overseas Affairs Minister, Fred Mitchell, thanked all of the international locations for respecting CARICOM and the regional grouping for “sticking collectively” to make sure Ramdin’s election.
“We did it, and all of us did a very good job for our international locations in carrying out this purpose immediately. I be a part of with others who’ve famous the historic nature of this election, which can be a serious achievement,” Mitchell added.
St. Lucia’s Overseas Affairs Minister, Alva Baptiste, provided “warmest congratulations” to Ramdin and mentioned the OAS performs a vital function in coordinating efforts to advertise democracy, human rights, integral improvement, and safety throughout the Americas.
“The number of its chief is a vital second for all members figuring out the course the group will chart within the years forward. It’s superfluous so as to add that immediately is a historic second for Suriname and, after all, for us within the CARICOM area, electing after nicely over seven many years of the existence of this group, the very first secretary basic from this grouping.”
Dominica’s Overseas Affairs Minister, Dr. Vince Henderson, mentioned Ramdin’s election by acclamation “clearly demonstrates the collective will of all member states to maneuver as a united entrance as we confront the numerous challenges that our hemisphere faces.
“I do hope, nevertheless, that via his tenure as secretary basic, we are going to proceed in that very same spirit of unity as we take care of issues that solely multilateralism can handle,” Henderson mentioned.
Trinidad and Tobago’s CARICOM and Overseas Affairs Minister, Dr. Amery Browne, mentioned Ramdin would want assist, together with funding, to hold out his imaginative and prescient for the OAS going ahead.
“Allow us to do not forget that the challenges we face aren’t singular in any of our member states as we co-exist inside the shared house. As such, a coordinated response is critical, which requires management that elevates multilateralism, fosters dialogue, brokers peace, ensures that from the smallest to the most important member state, our voice is heard on the worldwide stage,” Browne mentioned.
Guyana’s Overseas Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd, mentioned he is aware of that Ramdin will use his multilateral and regional expertise, coupled along with his diplomatic expertise, “to uplift the group and to assist meet its bold objectives to make sure peace, prosperity, and safety for the Americas.”
Todd, who thanked the OAS for its function within the ongoing border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, mentioned, “For Guyana, the OAS stays a crucial fixture within the hemisphere, and the strategic pillars that underpin the group are as related immediately as they had been prior to now.”
He mentioned Guyana is conscious that regardless of its greatest efforts, there may be nonetheless ‘substantial work to ship on improvement to the area and handle hemispheric and different challenges”.’
St. Kitts-Nevis Overseas Affairs Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas mentioned the twin-island Federation welcomes Ramdin’s appointment, including, “It’s simple that small island creating states proceed to shoulder a disproportionate burden of local weather change, and the urgency for motion has by no means been starker.
“We name upon the OAS to play a extra outstanding management function in advocating tangible assist for adaptation and resilience constructing… recognizing that this disaster calls for joint and concerted motion to mitigate the devastating results and safeguard future generations to come back”.
