SPEECH OF ALBERT RAMDIN UPON HIS ELECTION AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES, DELIVERED AT THE FIFTY-SIXTH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

March 10, 2025 - Washington, DC

• Mr. President of the 56th Special Session, Your Excellency Alberto van Klaveren, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chile, goedemiddag en dank voor uw uitstekend leiderschap in deze 56ste speciale vergadering van de OAS, (I will come back to this),
• Mr. President of the Permanent Council and of the Preparatory Commission of this Special Session of the General Assembly, Ambassador Héctor Enrique Arce, Permanent Representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia,
• Ministers and other Heads of Delegation of the Member States of the OAS,
• Secretary General, Mr. Luis Almagro,
• Deputy Secretary-General, Ambassador Nestor Mendez,
• Distinguished Permanent Representatives to the OAS,
• Permanent Observers,
• Representatives of the Inter-American System Institutions, especially the Director of Pan American Health Organization Dr. Jarbas Barbosa,
• Representatives of International and Regional Organizations, with special mention of Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnet of the Caribbean Community and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, two remarkable women not unknown to this Organization,
• Distinguished delegates,
• Representatives from civil society,
• Specially invited guests,
• Media representatives,
• Esteemed Staff members of this Organization,
• Ladies and gentlemen,

I just wished the Chairman of this meeting, the distinguished minister of Foreign Affairs from Chile, a good afternoon and appreciation for his leadership in Dutch, being the official national language of the Republic of Suriname. This small exchange of greetings in Dutch, signifies the diversity that exists within our hemisphere. Our hemisphere is comprised of states characterized by people with different histories and also shared histories, different languages, customs, arts, cultures, religions, ethnicities, varying governance and legal frameworks, large, medium to tiny economies, and a multitude of other different challenges.

However, ladies and gentlemen, the fundamental principles of the OAS are our unifying driving force. Despite our differences, these principles are the basis for creating a better Hemisphere for our peoples in unity. May we never be divided, because as a hemispheric community, the source of our strength lies in working together to find solutions. In that unity, strength is multiplied, barriers are weakened, and progress becomes unstoppable.

Today is indeed a historic moment for me, my country, Suriname, and the region we are part of the Caribbean Community (also called CARICOM). I would like to start with thanking the Heads of Government of CARICOM for their unwavering support but also their active engagement to make today a historic day for us all. The Caribbean community has proven to be united and well organized enabling us to assume this leadership at the highest level of the Organization of American States.

Allow me, to recognize the important work done by the four CARICOM deputy Secretary Generals: Ambassador Val T. McComie of the Republic of Barbados, Ambassador Christopher Thomas of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, someone called by the name of Albert Ramdin of the Republic of Suriname and our dear friend Ambassador Nestor Mendez of Belize. In these 40 years, meaningful contributions have been made to the purpose and goals of the OAS.

Today, as many have mentioned before, is the first time since the inception of the OAS that a Secretary General hails from a member state of the Caribbean Community. I am honored and thankful that I have received your trust to make this moment happen. This signifies, in my view, not only an historic moment, but also a welcome opportunity to foster closer collaboration and strengthen the multilateral framework.

Dear friends, Mr. President, off course, I would not have been here, if it was not for the support I received throughout my career from the following Surinamese Heads of State. His Excellency President Jules Albert Wijdenbosch, who facilitated my entrance in regional diplomacy by supporting my nomination as ASG in CARICOM in 1999. His Excellency President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan, who nominated me for the position of ASG in 2005 and 2010. And most recently, His Excellency President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, who initiated and supported the process enabling me to stand here today. I am grateful for the trust of all these remarkable leaders in their own right.

I also want to express my gratitude to my dear colleagues Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Caribbean Community, who for the past two and a half year have supported me. Each and all of you have stood with me, advised and encouraged me. Our Permanent Representative in the OAS have been hands on and very practical in making sure that I was up to date regarding important developments in the OAS.

I feel immense appreciation for my colleagues and friends throughout the Americas. Your ideas and commitment to the OAS help us to focus on the challenges ahead and explore new opportunities. Your commitment and vision have been invaluable. They have allowed us to grow stronger and resolutely consolidate our unity and dialogue. Together, we have charted a path of unwavering cooperation, with the active participation of the voices of the Caribbean nations. By working together, we will be better positioned to maintain the importance of the OAS and achieve common progress.

Allow me also to thank Paraguay, especially our friend minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano for accompanying me. We both embarked on this very interesting exercise of what I call hemispheric democracy. And I thank Paraguay for joining consensus today and I really appreciate the fact that with that position we unite ourselves as a full hemisphere. This is what we need in this Organization, so thank you Paraguay for joining this concept.

Last, but most certainly not least, I thank my family. Not only my immediate family, Charmaine, and our two daughters Amy Kareana and Anu Xsitaaz for their invaluable support, inspiration and yes, also patience, but also my siblings who through their care and understanding, and constant interest in my well being formed me. My ultimate and endless gratitude, respect and appreciation goes to my parents, who instilled in me the critical, inspiring and beautiful values and norms of honesty, respect sense of community and solidarity, hard work and so much more to become a responsible and active citizen in service of the needs of people and my country and beyond. These important contributions from esteemed colleagues, friends and family, without any doubt, will guide me as I embark on this new journey of service with humility and honor.

Ladies and gentlemen, what we have showcased here today, in this special session of the General Assembly, is a true attribute to the power of unity, solidarity and collaboration that exists in our hemisphere. I have experienced this as collaborative diplomacy at its best. We have demonstrated that we do share common goals and values and that we have a common resolve. This moment signifies to me that our collective strength lies in our ability to work together. I am sure that together we can and will transform this Organization and the hemispheric future in meaningful ways. Our Americas, that are all independent nations together, represents a geography and diversity with strength in values, norms and inspirations that hold a great potential to provide a peaceful and prosperous life to our people. I believe that we have to commit to apply these assets actively in our collective resolve.

Mr. President, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I realize, we realize, that we exist in challenging times, a constantly and rapidly changing world. As we face the challenges of the present and look towards the future, I believe it is imperative that we listen to each other, understand our different perspectives, if possible, accept those, while looking for and finding common ground. This is what a Secretary General hopes for and as you all have expressed through your support to me, I hope you are on the same path with me: to take things forwards not backwards, united not divided. That common ground we find in our aspirations of integral development, multidimensional security in our communities, governance based on rule of law and democratic principles, and respect for human rights. These exist in unison, without one the other cannot be fully attained. Multilateralism is, in my view and experience, the most important tool to achieve the necessary intergovernmental collaboration to meet the collective needs of our people and serve the needs and interests of our member states.

Ladies and gentlemen, in a rapidly changing world, a foundation of strong democracy remains the cornerstone of freedom, justice, and human dignity. Democracy is a commitment to the principles of equality, active and participatory inclusion, the rule of law, and effective and resilient state institutions. We must educate future generations about the importance of democratic values, so that they understand their rights and responsibilities as active, responsible citizens. Strong democratic institutions and principles, combined with good governance and robust, independent judicial systems, are essential for protecting our rights, promoting social justice, and maintaining peace and stability.

In today’s world marked by rapid population growth, industrialization, transnational crime, technology booms and environmental change, the need for integral and sustainable development has never been more urgent, let us play a role in that as well. The environmental challenges, with the climate crisis and many more at the forefront, have to be adequately and properly addressed. Not only in development agencies but also in political discourse which we will often have in the following period. Addressing poverty, promoting education, advancing gender equality, and ensuring that every person has the opportunity to thrive, should all be part of our collective and individual integral development policies. The aim being that the benefits of progress are to be shared by all, leaving no one behind, while creating a world where future generations can live healthier, more fulfilling lives, free from the burden of social and/or economic inequality. We, governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals all have roles to play in achieving these objectives.

Sustainable development is the pathway to a future of economic prosperity, healthy, safe, secure environments, and equitable societies. It is the blueprint for a hemisphere where progress is measured not just in terms of wealth or growth, but in the health and well-being of all the American people and our planet. As we look to the future, let us embrace the principles of sustainability, not as a choice, but as a responsibility we must fulfill for the generations to come.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I will need input from all of you, some of which I have received today, to make the OAS live up to what we have all endorsed it to be. First of all, a strong, well organized, recognized and respected institution that is an honest broker in times of conflict. Secondly, a facilitator of development and growth through pro-active actions and collaboration of all stakeholders. And ultimately, a contributor to the well-being and welfare and safety and security for all citizens and future generations in the Americas.

I know as no other that it requires tough leadership, because it will not be easy, and diplomatic skills to foster dialogue and resolve disputes between the various social and political stakeholders with differing interests in an environment with as many dichotomies as we have in our hemisphere. A hemisphere where we depend on each other, because no country alone, I repeat, no country alone, can solve all the problems effectively within its own borders. We must stand in solidarity with each other and mobilize all capabilities of the Secretariat, the Inter-American system, other relevant sub-regional organizations, the private sector of the Americas and build efficient partnerships as we execute this new agenda of the future.

I thank Secretary General Luis Almagro for his insights, vision and contribution and I look forward working with him during the transition. I thank Assistant Secretary General Mendez for his dedicated work, as well as the hardworking, experienced staff of this organization for their contribution, and I look forward working with them to achieve our goals. I also salute member states representatives for their invaluable insights and commitment in name of their respective countries to develop and approve policies and support initiatives to realize our dream for the Americas. I count on a strong, active and trusted relationship as we identify and execute the way forward.

To the Permanent Observers and our partners in the Inter-America System: the IDB, PAHO, IICA and other institutional frameworks of the Inter-American system, I say: let’s join hands and mobilize our capabilities to align agendas and serve the needs of the people of the Americas. This is certainly something that is going to be brought to the Summit of the Americas in the Dominican Republic. It is one of issues, how to have a more effective institutional architecture within the Americas. We have many institutions within our system, but we can improve the collaboration between them and create one agenda going forward in which everyone fulfills their role. As I stand here, today, my commitment is to serve all Member States of this Organization. I’d like to reiterate that our collective strength lies in our ability to work together.

Distinguished colleagues, one cannot do this alone. Unity requires collaboration, more specifically; dialogue, consultation and collective resolve around this table in this room, even when we have different viewpoints. I believe that every crisis brings an opportunity which we must capitalize on. I am absolutely invigorated by the support received from many all over the world and look forward to a very productive and effective time together.

I call on you to look on this moment as a new opportunity to demonstrate to the world and to ourselves that our peaceful Hemisphere can be transformed into a politically robust and economically prosperous region for the benefit of our peoples. Rebuilding the strength and relevance of the Organization of American States will benefit all our peoples.

Ladies and gentlemen, I see the future as a bright one, despite the many challenges we face. I realize that it will not be an easy road ahead. I know that much needs to be done. I, at the same time, am encouraged and therefore embrace our collective resolve and political will to deliver on the goals set by all of us. There is a lot of work ahead of us. So therefore, let’s get to work!

I thank you very much.