OPENING SPEECH BY SECRETARY GENERAL, ALBERT RAMDIN AT THE DIALOGUE OF THE HEADS OF DELEGATION, THE SECRETARY GENERAL AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF CIVIL SOCIETY, WORKERS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND OTHER SOCIAL ACTORS

June 25, 2025 - St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

Honorable Minister Chet Greene, thank you for moderating this important dialogue,

I recognize Assistant Secretary General Néstor Méndez,
Permanent Representatives of the Member States,
Representatives of Civil Society, Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Communities, Workers, the Private Sector, and Youth,

Distinguished Guests,

I am pleased to warmly welcome you to this Dialogue, held within the framework of the Fifty-Fifth Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly, convened under the theme: “Building Resilient and Inclusive Economies in the Americas.”

This Dialogue, for over two decades, has served as a space for the open and participatory exchange of perspectives, reflecting the OAS’s commitment to inclusivity. The fact that it is taking place here in Antigua and Barbuda is a recognition of the importance of giving voice and visibility to all regions of the hemisphere.

We thank Antigua and Barbuda for hosting us and for ensuring all necessary arrangements to provide an ideal setting for this Dialogue.

The theme that brings us together this year is not just an economic call—it is a deeply social one. To speak of resilient and inclusive economies is to recognize that economic growth is only sustainable when it is shared, when it reaches all sectors of the population, and when it is supported by strong democratic institutions, respect for human rights, and the participation of all social actors.

In this context, the role of civil society is one of strategic importance. Civil society organizations, in their diversity of approaches and areas of work, form an invaluable network of knowledge, experience, and proximity to the everyday realities of our communities. You are essential allies in translating our hemispheric goals into concrete actions and tangible results.

Since the announcement of my candidacy, I have been clear in stating that dialogue with civil society must not be limited to formal events or isolated moments. It must be a continuous, structured, substantive, and binding process. Because your work, your proposals, and your well-founded critiques from time to time contribute to strengthening the quality of our multilateral decisions and the legitimacy of our organization.

Allow me to highlight three areas where your participation is particularly indispensable:

Firstly, in the defense and embodiment of democracy and human rights. We live in times where democracies are challenged by polarization, disinformation, and institutional distrust. Civil society organizations play a fundamental role as watchdogs of transparency, guarantors of accountability, and promoters of genuine citizen participation.

The second area is in the promotion of social inclusion and equity. Poverty, exclusion, and discrimination remain structural challenges in still too many places across our hemisphere. Indigenous peoples, Afro-descendant communities, migrants, persons with disabilities, LGBTI+ individuals, religious groups, women, and youth continue to demand real spaces for participation and development. You, through your work, directly engage with these populations, providing solutions, generating opportunities, and opening doors for those historically marginalized.

The third area is in our constant need for adaptation and creating resilience to new challenges. Climate change, food insecurity, migration crises, and natural disasters affect our people disproportionately. The resilience of our economies and societies depends on strong public policies, but also on coordinated action by civil society, the private sector, and multilateral organizations.

This is a moment of transition and opportunity for the OAS. In this new phase, the Administration prioritizes strengthening structured and permanent dialogue with civil society. It is not just about listening, but about creating effective mechanisms to incorporate your contributions into the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of hemispheric policies. We want a more open OAS, more connected to the real dynamics of our societies, an OAS which stands close to the people of the Americas.

Multilateralism will only be effective if it is inclusive. And inclusion cannot be rhetorical—it must be a constant practice.
I thank the Member States that support this process; the Civil Society Section for its daily work in strengthening these ties; and most especially, I thank each of you—civil society representatives - as our strategic partners- for your work, your dedication, your commitment to public service, and your continued interest and involvement in the work of our Organization.

Today’s Dialogue is a clear manifestation of what we want to continue building: a hemisphere where we work together, where we combine our efforts, recognize diversity, and seek consensus to ensure stronger democracy, lasting peace, and truly inclusive development.

As a Caribbean citizen, as a citizen of the Americas, and as Secretary General, I reaffirm today my personal and institutional commitment to making the OAS an increasingly effective platform where all voices of the hemisphere are heard and have real impact.

I wish you a productive, honest, frank, result-oriented, and enriching dialogue.

Thank you very much.