WASHINGTON, CMC – Suriname’s International Affairs Minister, Albert Ramdin, was elected as the brand new secretary normal of the Group of American States (OAS) for a five-year time period, urging multilateralism and calling on member states to be united within the battle towards a altering international setting.
Ramdin was elected by acclamation following the withdrawal of Rubén Ramírez, the International Minister of Paraguay. He succeeds Luis Almagro, who was first elected as OAS Secretary Normal in 2015 and re-elected in 2020.
“In a world that’s rapidly evolving, the muse of a powerful democracy continues to be the cornerstone of freedom, justice, and human dignity,” Ramdin instructed the 56th Particular Session of the OAS Normal Meeting.
“We understand we exist in difficult occasions, continually and quickly altering roads, and as we face these challenges of the current and look in the direction of the longer term, I consider we should hear to one another, perceive our totally different views…whereas on the lookout for frequent grounds.”
He mentioned that frequent floor might be present in multilateralism, safety, governance based mostly on the rule of legislation and democratic ideas, and respect for human rights. He added, “These exist in unison; they aren’t separate. With out one, the opposite can’t be totally attained.
“Multilateralism is, in my opinion, an expertise, an important instrument to attain the mandatory intergovernmental collaboration to satisfy the collective wants of our individuals and serve the wants and curiosity of member states.”
Ramdin mentioned the environmental challenges occasioned by the local weather disaster should be adequately and appropriately addressed. Addressing poverty, selling training, and selling gender equality “ought to all be a part of our collective and particular person …coverage, the intention being that the advantages of progress are to be shared by all, leaving nobody behind.”
Ramdin reiterated the necessity for all nations to be united sooner or later, saying, “No nation alone can clear up all the issues successfully inside its borders.
“We should stand in solidarity with one another and mobilize all capabilities of the Secretariat, the Inter-American system and all of the related sub-regional organizations, the personal sector of the Americas and construct environment friendly partnerships as we execute this new agenda for the longer term.”
Ramdin mentioned he was relying on a “robust, energetic relationship” with member states “as we determine and execute the best way ahead.
“As I stand right here at this time, my dedication is completely to serve all member states of this group, and I wish to reiterate our collective energy lies in our capability to work collectively…as I mentioned, one can not do it alone…unity requires collaboration, extra particularly dialogue, session and collective resolve across the desk…even when we now have totally different viewpoints,” Ramdin mentioned.
Ramdin, 67, who has served as Suriname’s high diplomat since 2020 and was beforehand the OAS’ assistant secretary normal for 2 phrases from 2005 via 2015, is pushing for higher effectivity within the group and highlighted the necessity for it to assist higher Haiti, which is dealing with a battle towards armed gangs with restricted worldwide support.
“Each disaster should deliver a possibility on which we should capitalize. I’m invigorated by the assist from many worldwide and stay up for a really efficient and productive time collectively,” he mentioned.
The Suriname authorities mentioned, “It’s a nice honor for Suriname that the overwhelming majority of the member states have supported our candidate.”
Suriname’s President Chan Santokhi has praised Ramdin’s “calm assurance” as a trusted advisor and adept diplomat.
In his tackle, Ramdin additionally mentioned, “In my view and my expertise, an important instrument to attain the mandatory collaboration amongst governments is to reply to the wants of our peoples and serve the wants and pursuits of our member states.”
