OEA - CP- Resolución CIDI INF 713

INTER-AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT

OEA/Ser.W CIDI/INF.713/26 7 May 2026

Original: English

REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR ISABELLE VALOIS ON

THE OCCASION OF CIDI CONFIRMATION FOR THE POSITION

OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY FOR INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT

(Delivered during the Special Meeting of CIDI, held on May 6, 2026)REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR ISABELLE V ALOIS ON

THE OCCASION OF CIDI CONFIRMATION FOR THE POSITION

OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY FOR INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT

(Delivered during the Special Meeting of CIDI, held on May 6, 2026)

Bom dia. Good morning. Buenos días. Bonjour.

• Monsieur le Secrétaire général, Monsieur le Président, Excellences, distingués Représentants des États membres,

• I am truly honored to be with you today, and sincerely grateful to Secretary General Albert Ramdin for the confidence he has placed in me through this nomination.

• I would also like to thank the Member States of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development for your confidence and for giving me the opportunity today to introduce myself.

It will be an honor to serve the Organization, collaborate with colleagues within the OAS, SEDI and CIDI, and to work closely with you all to advance our shared commitment to integral development, inclusion, and resilience across the Americas

• I accept this responsibility with humility and respect, and with a strong commitment to serving all countries of the Americas and their peoples.

• Against this background, I am particularly pleased that I am joining the OAS at this moment.

Integral development lies at the heart of hemispheric cooperation, and the work of SEDI is

• I accept this responsibility with humility and respect, and with a strong commitment to serving all countries of the Americas and their peoples.

• Against this background, I am particularly pleased that I am joining the OAS at this moment.

Integral development lies at the heart of hemispheric cooperation, and the work of SEDI is more relevant than ever. Across the Americas, countries are navigating climate vulnerability, economic transformation, digital change, social inclusion, and persistent inequalities, often at the same time, and frequently with limited resources.

• I am very conscious that these challenges are not experienced equally, and that they are particularly acute for small island developing states and for smaller and more vulnerable economies, including in the Caribbean and Central America.

• Addressing these disparities requires integrating development objectives more deliberately into our economic and trade strategies. When trade is aligned with development priorities, peace and democratic values, it becomes a powerful engine for jobs, resilience, and inclusion.

• By strengthening value chains, supporting SMEs, and advancing sustainable and digital trade that accelerates the transition to low-carbon and resilient economies, we can ensure that economic integration delivers lasting benefits for communities across the Americas.

• Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of working in many regions of the world, but the Americas hold a special place for me.- 2 -

• My connection with the Americas began well before diplomacy , with formative experiences living and working in Colombia, travelling and hitchhiking across Central America, Mexico and the USA , up until Canada , and volunteering with different communities. I later returned in different capacities, including as Canada’s Ambassador to Uruguay.

• These experiences shaped my understanding of the Americas through people, landscapes, and resilience, informed by my roots in the province of Québec and by Canada’s ongoing dialogue with indigenous people, seen, bien sûr, from the perspective of a French‑Canadian strongly attached to francophone culture.

• I am very conscious that the OAS is operating in a demanding environment, with rising

resilience, informed by my roots in the province of Québec and by Canada’s ongoing dialogue with indigenous people, seen, bien sûr, from the perspective of a French‑Canadian strongly attached to francophone culture.

• I am very conscious that the OAS is operating in a demanding environment, with rising expectations and significant resource constraints. That reality makes the role of SEDI, and the dedication of its team, even more important.

• I would especially like to recognize Ms. Kim Osborne for all her contributions, hard work and dedication. I am pleased that she will continue to contribute her experience within SEDI, as I look forward to working with the team and building on its ongoing efforts. Special thanks to Barbara Kotschwar for ensuring the interim, and bringing SEDI forward, and for so generously accompanying me for these first steps within the OAS.

• What draws me most to the challenge ahead is the opportunity to work together - Member States, the Secretariat, and partners – to focus our efforts, innovate where possible, and deliver timely results that are tangible and relevant not only to the countries but also for the people of the

Americas.

• I am keen to collaborate closely with the Secretary General and with all of you to ensure that SEDI’s work remains practical, responsive, meaningful and firmly anchored in national priorities.

• My approach is, and will remain, constructive and collaborative. I believe strongly in listening first, in respecting diverse perspectives, and in building consensus through dialogue and trust.

You can expect from me an open door, frank dialogues, a commit ment to partnership, and a focus on outcomes that matter.

• Espero con entusiasmo trabajar junto a ustedes y contribuir de manera concreta a un desarrollo más inclusivo, resiliente y equitativo para nuestra región.

Merci beaucoup pour votre confiance. Muchas gracias. Moito obrigada. I look forward to joining you soon in Washington and beginning this work in person. Thank you so much,