Albert Ramdin was elected Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) on March 10, 2025, during a Special Session of the OAS General Assembly. His election marked a historic milestone, as he became the first Secretary General from a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state in the history of the Organization. A seasoned diplomat with decades of experience in regional and international affairs, Ramdin brings a pragmatic, consensus-driven approach to hemispheric cooperation, with a vision anchored in inclusion, sustainable development, democratic renewal, and regional integration. His five-year mandate began on May 26, 2025.
Upon taking office, Secretary General Ramdin pledged to lead a Secretariat “closer to the people,” with a renewed focus on building bridges across political, social, and economic divides. He has committed to ensuring that the OAS becomes a more agile, transparent, and service-oriented institution, one that supports its member states in addressing current and emerging challenges—from climate change and digital transformation to inequality, migration, and threats to democratic governance.
Ramdin has placed particular emphasis on the needs of small and vulnerable states, including those in the Caribbean and Central America, calling for an “OAS that works equally for all its members.” Under his leadership, the General Secretariat is expected to advance reforms that modernize internal management, enhance the effectiveness of electoral observation and human rights mechanisms, and strengthen cooperation with youth, civil society, and the private sector.
A staunch advocate for multilateralism and principled diplomacy, Ramdin brings to the role more than three decades of service in high-level positions. He previously served as Assistant Secretary General of the OAS from 2005 to 2015, during which time he played a key role in advancing dialogue, conflict resolution, and hemispheric cooperation. In 2020, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, and International Cooperation of Suriname, a position he held until his election as Secretary General. In that role, he deepened Suriname’s engagement with regional and global partners and promoted policies for sustainable development and democratic strengthening.
Earlier in his career, Ramdin held senior positions at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), including Assistant Secretary General for External Relations, and served as Suriname’s Permanent Representative to the OAS.
Ramdin is multilingual and multicultural. He was born in Suriname on February 27, 1958. He holds a BSc in Human Geography from the University of Amsterdam and an MSc in Development Geography from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Fluent in Dutch, English, and Spanish, he is known for his diplomatic finesse and ability to navigate complex negotiations with discretion and resolve.
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Report OAS/CASLA
Reports on the Situation in Venezuela
Rounds of Sessions to analyze possible crimes against humanity in Venezuela - International Criminal Court (ICC)
Panel of Experts
Report of the OAS General Secretariat and the Panel of Independent International Experts on the Possible Commission of Crimes Against Humanity in Venezuela
Washington D.C., May 29, 2018
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