OEA - Documento AG ACTA (LVI-E 25) 2 25 de 2025

[image]QUINCUAGÉSIMO SEXTO PERÍODO EXTRAORDINARIO DE SESIONES OEA/Ser.P

10 de marzo de 2025 AG/ACTA 2 (LVI-E/25)

Washington, D.C. 4 abril 2025

Original: Textual

ACTA DE LA SEGUNDA SESIÓN PLENARIA

Fecha: 10 de marzo de 2025

Hora: 11:18 a.m.

Lugar: Salón de las Américas

Presidente: Embajador Alberto van Klaveren

Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Chile

Presentes: Rodrigo Olsen (Chile)

Mauricio Jaramillo Jassir (Colombia)

Arnoldo André Tinoco (Costa Rica)

Vince Henderson (Dominica)

Carlos Játiva (Ecuador)

Wendy Jeannette Acevedo Castillo (El Salvador)

Michael Kozak (Estados Unidos)

Tarlie Francis (Grenada)

Carlos Ramiro Martínez Alvarado (Guatemala)

Hugh Hilton Todd (Guyana)

Jean Victor Harvel Jean’Baptiste (Haití)

Eduardo Enrique Reina G. (Honduras)

Kamina Johnson Smith (Jamaica)

Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez (México)

Carlos Guevara Mann (Panamá)

Víctor Verdún (Paraguay)

Elmer José Germán G. Schialer Salcedo (Perú)

Roberto Alvarez (República Dominicana)

Denzel L. Douglas (Saint Kitts y Nevis)

Alva R. Baptiste (Santa Lucía)

Frederick Stephenson (San Vicente y las Granadinas)

Kermechend Raghoebarsing (Suriname)

Amery Browne (Trinidad y Tobago)

Mario Lubetkin (Uruguay)

Ronald Sanders (Antigua y Barbuda)

Carlos Cherniak (Argentina)

Frederick A. Mitchell (Bahamas)

Donna Forde (Barbados)

Amalia Mai (Belize)

Celinda Sosa Lunda (Bolivia)

Maria Laura da Rocha (Brasil)

Ronald Sanders (Antigua y Barbuda)

Carlos Cherniak (Argentina)

Frederick A. Mitchell (Bahamas)

Donna Forde (Barbados)

Amalia Mai (Belize)

Celinda Sosa Lunda (Bolivia)

Maria Laura da Rocha (Brasil)

Stuart Savage (Canadá)

Luis Almagro Lemes (Secretario General)

Nestor Mendez (Secretario General Adjunto)

Asunto

• Elección del Secretario General de la Organización de los Estados Americanos

El PRESIDENTE: Excelencias, distinguidos colegas, iniciamos la segunda sesión plenaria con la consideración del siguiente punto de nuestro temario correspondiente a la elección del Secretario General de la Organización de los Estados Americanos para el período 2025-2030.

Elección del Secretario General de la Organización de los Estados Americanos

El PRESIDENTE: Al respecto, la Presidencia se permite informar que el Gobierno de la República de Suriname, a través de la nota de su Misión Permanente ante la OEA distribuida como documento AG/CP/INF. 795/24 el 8 de enero de 2024, presentó oficialmente la candidatura del señor Embajador Albert Ramdin, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Negocios y Cooperación Internacionales de la República de Suriname.

Por su parte, el Gobierno de la República del Paraguay, a través de la nota de su Misión Permanente ante la OEA distribuida como documento AG/CP/INF. 831/25 del 6 de marzo de 2025, informó la decisión del Gobierno de la República del Paraguay de retirar la candidatura del señor Embajador Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores del Paraguay, para el cargo de Secretario General de la Organización, la cual había sido presentada previamente por el Gobierno del Paraguay el 30 de agosto de 2024, mediante la nota distribuida como documento AG/CP/INF. 822/24.

Cabe informar que, de conformidad con la resolución AG/RES. 1757 (XXX-O/00) modificada por la resolución AG/RES. 2157 (XXXV-O/05) de esta Asamblea General sobre las medidas destinadas a alentar el pago oportuno de las cuotas, la Secretaría ha distribuido el documento AG/doc. 8/25 rev. 1 que contiene la lista de países en situación regular, los considerados al día, y aquellos que no están al día con las contribuciones anuales comprometidas por cada uno de los Estados.

Excelencias, distinguidos colegas, la elección que estamos por realizar se rige por lo dispuesto en el artículo 73 del Reglamento de la Asamblea General que estipula, y cito, “Las elecciones se efectuarán por votación secreta, salvo cuando se hagan por aclamación”.

Consulto al plenario la manera de proceder.

Dominica, por favor.

El JEFE DE LA DELEGACIÓN DE DOMINICA: Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Mr. President, I wish to move that the election be conducted by acclamation since there is only one candidate.

El PRESIDENTE: Thank you. La Delegación del Perú.

El JEFE DE LA DELEGACIÓN DEL PERÚ: Muchas gracias, señor Presidente. Deseo, en primer lugar, expresarle nuestra más calurosa felicitación por su elección, su designación para dirigir, presidir esta Asamblea General, algo que nos complace de sobremanera.

Señor Presidente, en nombre de la Delegación de mí país es un alto honor refrendar plenamente lo expresado por el distinguido Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Negocios Internacionales, Comercio y Energía de la Mancomunidad de Dominica, Su Excelencia Vince Henderson.

En este sentido, el Perú secunda la propuesta para que el Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores [, Negocios y Cooperación Internacionales de la República] de Suriname, Su Excelencia Albert Ramdin, sea elegido por aclamación por esta Asamblea General como Secretario General de la Organización de Estados Americanos para el período 2025-2030.

Muchas gracias, señor Presidente.

El PRESIDENTE: Muchas gracias, señor Ministro. [Aplausos.]

De esta manera, el Embajador Albert Ramdin ha sido elegido Secretario General de la Organización de los Estados Americanos para el período 2025-2030. [Aplausos.]

Si me permiten, en mi calidad de Presidente de este quincuagésimo sexto período extraordinario de sesiones de la Asamblea General, y sin perjuicio de que cada jefatura de delegación lo haga de manera individual, extiendo en nombre de esta Asamblea la más calurosa felicitación al Embajador Albert Ramdin por su elección.

Invito al Secretario General electo, Embajador Albert Ramdin, a que nos acompañe en la mesa principal.

A continuación, me permito ofrecer la palabra a las delegaciones. Por petición especial, ha solicitado la palabra la distinguida Delegación del Paraguay.

El REPRESENTANTE DEL PARAGUAY: Muchas gracias, señor Presidente.

A continuación, me permito ofrecer la palabra a las delegaciones. Por petición especial, ha solicitado la palabra la distinguida Delegación del Paraguay.

El REPRESENTANTE DEL PARAGUAY: Muchas gracias, señor Presidente.

Señores Jefes de delegación, en junio de 2024 el Gobierno de la República del Paraguay había decidido presentar la candidatura del Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, para el cargo de Secretario General de la Organización de los Estados Americanos; la misma estuvo sustentada en el firme compromiso que tiene el Paraguay con el sistema multilateral y en la necesidad de fortalecer la principal instancia de diálogo en las Américas. Con estas premisas, habíamos presentado una propuesta para la Organización orientada a lograr mayor relevancia institucional, una gestión más moderna, eficiente, pero particularmente una gestión alejada de posiciones ideológicas polarizantes.

Ha prevalecido una visión diferente sobre el futuro de la Organización, que la respetamos, aun así el Paraguay reitera su firme compromiso de seguir trabajando para la construcción y para el fortalecimiento de los principios y valores fundamentales de los pilares de esta Organización: la democracia, el respeto a los derechos humanos, la seguridad, el Estado de derecho y la promoción de la integración hemisférica. Estos principios, que han guiado históricamente nuestro desempeño en los foros multilaterales, seguirán siendo la base de nuestro accionar en el sistema interamericano.

Agradecemos, particularmente, a todos aquellos que con convicción e idénticos principios mantuvieron su respaldo a nuestra candidatura. Ratificamos que seguiremos trabajando en la construcción de un hemisferio y de una Organización más humana, más justa y, particularmente, una Organización más cercana a la gente.

Por último, deseamos éxitos y felicitamos al nuevo Secretario General electo, quien deberá conducir a la OEA en este momento difícil y particular de la Organización.

Muchas gracias.

El PRESIDENTE: Tiene la palabra la Delegación de Antigua y Barbuda. Please.

El JEFE DE LA DELEGACIÓN DE ANTIGUA Y BARBUDA: Mr. President, it is a pleasure to see you personally, as the Head of Delegation of Chile as President of what I suspect will become known as a historic General Assembly.

May I also take this opportunity to welcome the very generous statement just made by the delegation of Paraguay, which was made in the spirit in which this Organization operates, and we congratulate them for doing so.

Mr. President, on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda, I commend the member states of this Organization for engaging in these elections with dignity and with respect, befitting the rich democratic traditions we cherish.

I extend our warmest congratulations to Albert Ramdin on his election as Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). His ascension to this high office is a testament to his deep understanding of this Organization. Having served as Assistant Secretary General for ten years, Mr. Ramdin brings an extensive knowledge of the OAS, an awareness of its historic challenges, and a keen insight into the dynamics that shape our Hemisphere. This invaluable understanding will serve him well in helping the member states to chart a constructive and progressive path for the next five years.

Yet, we must be mindful that the landscape has irrevocably changed, imposing profound new responsibilities on our Organization and demanding fresh, agile responses to the trials before us. The requirements of good governance, the pursuit of greater multilateral co-operation, and the drive to promote equitable growth in our region have all acquired a fresh urgency.

As the new Secretary General embarks on this chapter, he will need to confront novel challenges head-on while addressing the persistent obstacles that continue to weigh on our collective aspirations. Foremost among these is the underfunding of the Organization, which threatens the fulfilment of its vital tasks.

In this new era of global uncertainty, it is incumbent upon the OAS to narrow divisions among our member states. Only through meaningful dialogue, a spirit of consensus, and a shared vision of progress can we maintain the relevance and vitality of this venerable institution. Antigua and Barbuda holds firm in its belief that the OAS can -and must - become an instrument of collaboration and shared purpose in our Hemisphere.

Let me also acknowledge the historic significance of this election, being the first time that a person from a CARICOM state will assume this important post. It is a signal of the maturity of the member states of the Organization that they recognize the equity of membership and the capacity of the CARICOM region to play leadership roles in the affairs of the Americas.

Permit me also to assert emphatically that although Mr. Ramdin comes from a CARICOM member state, and although CARICOM countries have given him their support as the candidate most suited for these demanding times, he is not the Secretary General of one country or one sub-grouping. He is the Secretary General for all member states of this body, a steward of the collective will of the Americas. We expect nothing less than equitable service to all, unbound by any narrow considerations.

Antigua and Barbuda pledges its unreserved support to the new Secretary General in the noble mission of delivering a reinvigoration of this Organization of American States. We place our trust in Mr. Ramdin to rekindle faith in the Organization, emboldening it to rise to the demands of these tumultuous times.

Mr. President, we wish the incoming Secretary General every good fortune as he embarks upon this important task. His success will be our success.

Thank you.

[Aplausos.]

El PRESIDENTE: Thank you very much, Ambassador. Ahora, cedo la palabra a la distinguida Delegación del Brasil.

Mr. President, we wish the incoming Secretary General every good fortune as he embarks upon this important task. His success will be our success.

Thank you.

[Aplausos.]

El PRESIDENTE: Thank you very much, Ambassador. Ahora, cedo la palabra a la distinguida Delegación del Brasil.

La JEFA DE LA DELEGACIÓN DEL BRASIL: Senhor Presidente, senhor Secretário-Geral, senhor Secretário-Geral-eleito, senhoras e senhores chefes de delegação,

É com alegria que felicito o Secretário-Geral-eleito da OEA, Albert Ramdin, cuja trajetória profissional e ampla experiência serão importantes ativos para esta Organização. Foi uma honra termos contado, ao longo dessa disputa, com dois candidatos tão qualificados, e chanceleres de importantes parceiros do Brasil. Fazemos votos de que o novo Secretário-Geral tenha muito sucesso na condução do Secretariado, em diálogo constante com os Estados membros.

Ao Secretário-Geral Luís Almagro, gostaria de expressar nossos agradecimentos pelos serviços prestados ao longo da última década. Desejamos ao Secretário-Geral Almagro felicidades na nova etapa de sua vida pessoal e profissional, que se inicia a partir do dia 26 de maio.

Senhor Presidente,

O Brasil ajudou a fundar esta Organização e foi participante ativo das conferências pan-americanas que a precederam. Temos, portanto, uma relação histórica com o Sistema Interamericano, cujo edifício ajudamos a construir. Valorizamos a OEA como importante plataforma para enfrentar desafios comuns nas áreas da democracia, dos direitos humanos, do desenvolvimento integral e da segurança multidimensional. É preciso reconhecer, no entanto, que, ao longo da sua história, a OEA passou por momentos desafiadores e, por vezes, esteve aquém de seu potencial.

Durante o auge da Guerra Fria, esta Organização, como tantas outras instituições multilaterais, tornou-se refém do conflito Leste-Oeste. Foi o momento das doutrinas de segurança nacional baseadas no combate ao inimigo interno: suspendia-se Cuba do convívio interamericano, mas paradoxalmente, em nome da democracia, não se discutia a tortura, os desaparecimentos forçados, a censura e o arbítrio de ditaduras militares que prometiam salvação contra a suposta ameaça comunista.

Mais adiante, tivemos um momento de relativo otimismo: quando a Guerra Fria começou a sair de cena, e os países da região retomaram o caminho da democracia. Com um ar menos rarefeito, abriu-se espaço político que foi bem aproveitado pelo Secretário-Geral João Clemente Baena Soares (1984-1994) e seus sucessores imediatos.

Testemunhamos então o fortalecimento da observação eleitoral e dos mecanismos políticos contra rupturas da ordem democrática, o aumento das atividades do Sistema Interamericano de direitos humanos, e a ampliação da OEA para abarcar quase todos os países soberanos das Américas.

A OEA tornou-se relevante também para combater as ameaças de segurança derivadas do crime transnacional organizado. A solidariedade foi colocada em prática em projetos de cooperação para o desenvolvimento. A figura do Secretário-Geral passou a ser importante referência na prevenção e mediação de crises regionais.

É importante reconhecer esses aspectos positivos. No entanto, é preciso admitir também que o ambiente político na última década impôs novos desafios. A lógica da exclusão, da estigmatização e do isolamento dos que pensam diferente voltou a dar as cartas em certas instâncias. No lugar do diálogo, da diplomacia e da negociação, a Organização optou, em certos casos, pela sanção e pelo opróbio público daqueles que foram considerados em conflito com os padrões comuns.

Em vez de se resguardar a independência e os canais de comunicação com todos os lados em situações de tensões internas, não raras vezes tomou-se partido em disputas internas, gerando efeito contrário ao pretendido.

A defesa da democracia, tema importante, não raro foi objeto de seletividade política. Com isso, a OEA perdeu legitimidade e relevância em determinados temas, vendo minguar sua capacidade de aportar soluções, notadamente para crises como as da Venezuela e da Nicarágua, países que se afastaram da Organização em anos recentes.

É preciso ajudar os Estados a cumprirem suas obrigações por meio do diálogo e dos mecanismos institucionais previstos no contexto da OEA, como foi possível no caso recente da Guatemala, em que a fórmula que combinou engajamento, acompanhamento, diálogo, monitoramento e muita diplomacia mostrou-se eficaz. É nesse espírito que minha delegação gostaria de recomendar um esforço para preservar a institucionalidade multilateral, que requer a busca de compromissos e de consensos.

A tarefa que deve ser compartilhada pelo novo Secretário-Geral e pelos Estados membros não é menor: trata-se de retomar a confiança de todos na OEA e em seu papel na busca de uma região estável, democrática, justa e próspera; uma Organização moderna, eficiente, transparente, inclusiva, que nos ajude efetivamente a promover os valores e princípios consagrados na sua Carta.

Confiança e legitimidade que emergem da força do direito internacional e do multilateralismo como antídotos contra o caos e a anarquia que se instalam quando prevalece o unilateralismo da lei do mais forte.

Nesse sentido, minha delegação tem a expectativa de que o Secretário-Geral seja uma figura agregadora, um funcionário internacional que não tome partido em disputas internas ou internacionais, mas facilite diálogos, estenda pontes com todos os lados e reabra canais que foram fechados.

Um Secretário-Geral que se baseie nos mandatos aprovados pelos Estados membros, que se preocupe em projetar a OEA de maneira institucional, que tenha a consciência sempre de que serve à Organização e a todos os Estados membros.

Como parte da retomada da confiança, queremos forjar uma parceria com o Secretário-Geral para uma gestão responsável e transparente dos escassos recursos disponíveis.

Problemas estruturais precisam ser enfrentados com vigor, inclusive para prevenir que a dependência excessiva de fundos voluntários possa causar danos e interromper programas prioritários. Devemos priorizar a missão e os valores fundamentais da nossa Organização, otimizando processos e assegurando que cada investimento seja revertido em resultados concretos.

O processo em curso de modernização da gestão e da governança deve ser aprofundado e levado adiante com determinação. Isso inclui uma gestão eficiente de pessoal, a melhoria dos processos de trabalho e da comunicação, bem como o fortalecimento dos mecanismos de transparência e monitoramento de resultados.

Confiança e legitimidade não serão conquistadas apenas com palavras. Exigem ações concretas e engajamento de todos, com a consciência de que o multilateralismo requer não a imposição unilateral de vontades de quem quer que seja, mas a construção, muitas vezes laboriosa, de compromissos em que cada um de nós precisa ceder algo para que todos possamos ganhar.

O Brasil seguirá dando sua contribuição para que a OEA seja um espaço de concertação, diálogo e cooperação.

Muito obrigada!

El PRESIDENTE: Muchas gracias a la Delegación del Brasil. I now turn the floor to the delegation of Jamaica.

Madam Minister, please.

La JEFA DE LA DELEGACIÓN DE JAMAICA: Mr. President, esteemed colleagues, Ministers and Heads of Delegations, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, good morning, buenos días, bonjour, and goedmorgen:

It is my honor and pleasure to participate in this fifty-sixth special session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS). I wish to first thank the Secretariat for the arrangements made to facilitate this important gathering, and express Jamaica’s congratulations to you Mr. President, Minister Alberto van Klaveren on your election to the Presidency of this special session. We wish to also commend you for the efficient manner in which you have been guiding today’s proceedings.

President, Excellencies, it is with the greatest pride and pleasure that I extend, on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, heartiest congratulations to His Excellency Albert Ramdin of the Republic of Suriname, on his historic election to the position of Secretary General of the OAS, the first Caribbean national to so do.

Minister Ramdin’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the Hemisphere. We all need the OAS to deliver on its core mandate of securing peace and justice, promoting solidarity, strengthening collaboration, and defending the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its member states, as outlined in Article 1 of the OAS Charter.

Tasked with such consequential responsibilities, the Organization cannot and must not fail. Jamaica has every confidence, therefore, that Minister Ramdin has the requisite skills and expertise to build consensus among member states, to enhance synergies among the Inter-American bodies and agencies, and to effectively engage the private sector and civil society to address issues such as poverty, food and energy insecurity, climate change, irregular migration and violence against women and girls.

My delegation looks forward to working with him in his capacity, and with all member states of the OAS to realize our shared vision for the advancement of the Hemisphere. It is only through dialogue and collective action that we can achieve our objectives and ensure that the OAS remains a viable multilateral forum.

President, Excellencies:

As we welcome Minister Ramdin to his new role, I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to Secretary General Luis Almagro for his decade of service to this Organization. Secretary General Almagro’s stewardship of and advocacy on behalf of the Organization, has –even when controversial– ensured that the principles enshrined in the OAS Charter, particularly around the rule of law, democracy and human rights, are upheld as important complements to addressing security and achieving sustainable development.

Secretary General Almagro is also to be lauded for his support with respect to scholarships in language training, science, engineering, teacher training, management, capacity building and security. The flagship New Path Project was indeed one of the projects implemented in Jamaica that allowed several of our young people to receive training in innovative entrepreneurship. Jamaica extends best wishes to you, Secretary General Almagro, in your future endeavors and I look forward to our paths intersecting as we work to develop the region.

Progress within the region cannot be realized, if we are not all working together and supporting each other. The crisis in our sister nation, Haiti, requires our continued and sustained, dedicated attention and we must not rest until we all have given Haiti the full support that she deserves so that peace and stability can be restored, and ordinary Haitians can live in peace and harmony. Jamaica, along with the Caribbean Community, has been working assiduously with this objective in mind, and we are grateful for the OAS uncompromising support in this regard. I urge member states, partners and the international community to continue to play a supporting role to Haiti as the country take steps towards attaining peace and lasting stability, as well as the holding of free, fair and transparent elections. I wish to thank the OAS and member states for the efforts to date, and for the Organization’s pivotal role in the production of Identification Cards to advance the electoral process. They are a critical and foundational element.

President, Excellencies:

Allow me to also speak briefly to the situation unfolding in fellow OAS member state, Guyana, whose sovereignty and territorial integrity continues to be threatened by the actions of Venezuela on the border. I wish to reaffirm publicly and categorically, Jamaica’s unwavering support for Guyana and to underscore our condemnation of any act that seeks to aggravate or escalate tensions. We encourage reliance on the process before the International Court of Justice and urge restraint and dialogue as we seek to uphold the designation of our region as a Zone of Peace.

In closing, I hope that we consolidate our efforts to achieve the objectives of the OAS and assure you of the Government of Jamaica’s unwavering commitment to playing its part in this regard. Let me again reiterate our congratulations to Minister Ramdin on his appointment as Secretary General and extend best wishes to him for a successful tenure and for his Foreign Ministry team, who will now have to do without his steady leadership for a time, as they loan him to all of us in the wider hemisphere.

I thank you.

[Aplausos.]

El PRESIDENTE: Thank you very much, Minister, and I now give the floor to the delegation of Barbados.

La JEFA DE LA DELEGACIÓN DE BARBADOS: Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank you.

[Aplausos.]

El PRESIDENTE: Thank you very much, Minister, and I now give the floor to the delegation of Barbados.

La JEFA DE LA DELEGACIÓN DE BARBADOS: Thank you, Mr. President.

Distinguished guests, Foreign Ministers, Heads of Delegations, Secretary General Luis Almagro, Assistant Secretary General Nestor Mendez, the delegation of Barbados is honored to be present among the family of the Americas on this auspicious occasion of the election of the first member state of the Caribbean Community to the post of Secretary General of this august body.

History has been made in this fifty-sixth special session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS). Today, we have collectively and decisively written a page in the history of this Organization. An Organization, which, in its seventy-seventh year, is a central pillar of the Inter-American system, and which unites thirty-two countries at varying stages of development.

Today more than ever, the four pillars of the OAS, fostering peaceful conflict resolution, democracy, development and human rights bear much relevance. Indeed, the adoption by acclamation of Suriname to fill this important role is a positive signal for our Organization.

Mr. President, our Hemisphere continues to confront economic instability, which along with food insecurity, crime and violence, and compounded by the challenges of the climate crisis, all impact the well-being of our citizens. They not only intensify our vulnerabilities, but also undermine national and regional stability and hinder global progress.

In the face of these shared challenges, our Hemisphere must exercise collective leadership to realize our shared goals and aspirations, and our goals are best realized through coordinated efforts and a commitment to multilateralism.

Mr. President, CARICOM as a collective grouping highly values its membership of and engagement within the Organization of American States. Our fourteen member states, though relatively strong in size, bring a strong tradition of democratic governance, respect for the rule of law, strong and independent judiciaries, defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

These core values are fundamental to upholding and defending the OAS’s goals of democracy, peace, and security and prosperity for all of the peoples of the Americas. And arguably, Mr. President, the future of the OAS hinges on strategic leadership.

The incoming Secretary General will have to be visionary, capable of driving consensus, and orienting decisive action on issues critical to the Hemisphere. And it can be appreciated that the OAS, or any organization functioning at its optimum, works best when the leadership works in tandem with the constituency it serves. And it is in this vein, Mr. President, that the Government of Barbados wishes to express its gratitude to the outgoing Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General and their teams for their service and wish you all well in your future endeavors.

It is my sincere belief that Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin possesses all the attributes for leadership. Minister Ramdin possesses a deep understanding of the Inter-American agenda and has the diplomatic and political skills to direct the work of the OAS in a meaningful and effective manner.

His extensive expertise in international relations, innovative problem solving, combined with his collaborative and creative approach suitably acquit him to discharge the duties of the Secretary General with a high degree of success.

But Mr. President, permit me please to address a few short words directed to Minister Ramdin. Minister Ramdin, as you ascend to the highest office of this august body, the people you have chosen to serve will be looking to you for enlightened and inspired leadership. The OAS you inherit is summoned to face bold new challenges in a changed and changing world. And you will be forced to navigate uncharted waters.

To adequately respond, you must embody good governance. You must at all times be resilient, nimble, and an instrument of positive change. This must be your imminent quest in the years ahead, as you work to create a fit-for-purpose Organization.

As I close, Mr. President, the climate crisis, security, health, and environmental issues we face remind us daily of our own vulnerabilities as individuals, countries, and as a Hemisphere. It beholds us to be mindful of these concerns at all levels.

On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, we call on the continued solidarity and support of Minister Albert Ramdin as he assumes this office, and please be assured that the Organization of American States will have the continued support of Barbados.

Mr. President, I thank you.

On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, we call on the continued solidarity and support of Minister Albert Ramdin as he assumes this office, and please be assured that the Organization of American States will have the continued support of Barbados.

Mr. President, I thank you.

[Aplausos.]

El PRESIDENTE: Thank you very much. Ahora, tengo el gusto de dar la palabra al Canciller del Perú.

El JEFE DE LA DELEGACIÓN DEL PERÚ: Muchas gracias, señor Presidente.

Señor Presidente de la Asamblea General de la OEA; señoras y señores Ministros