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OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS CRITICAL ISSUES—ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL RAMDIN

With the Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly session set to open in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Sunday, Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin has expressed satisfaction with preparations. OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza and President Leonel Fernández of the Dominican Republic will open the General Assembly, which runs until June 6.

According to Ambassador Ramdin, the General Assembly will provide a unique opportunity for the 34 member states to talk about critical issues such as good governance and the use of information technology, human rights, OAS efforts to fight corruption and promote transparency, and financing of the OAS.

Ramdin arrived in Santo Domingo on Tuesday and has met with top Dominican officials, including Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Carlos Morales Troncoso and Vice Minister José Manuel Trullos.

Foreign Secretary Troncoso described hosting the General Assembly for the first time as a great honor for his country, a founding OAS member. He went on to note the importance of bridging the digital divide to promote good governance and development in member states. President Leonel Fernandez, who will address the plenary session, has made a significant contribution towards efforts to reduce the digital divide at the hemispheric and international levels, said Troncoso.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Ramdin commended President Fernández’ offer to host the OAS’ highest decision-making body that brings together the hemisphere’s foreign ministers. “The government has invested a lot in organizing this event,” stated Ramdin, stressing the significance of the main theme, proposed by the host government, “Good Governance and Development in the Knowledge-based Society.”

The use of information technology is important in strengthening governments and governance and in modernizing and strengthening government services to serve development efforts, said Ramdin, noting as well the related issue of corruption and transparency. On the budgetary issues, Ramdin mentioned the initiative by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries for a holistic approach to OAS financing. He said the financing needs to be more in line with the increasing number of mandates from the member governments, so the OAS can continue to deliver high quality service in a timely fashion.

As the only institution in the Americas to bring the 34 member states together to discuss multilateral issues, the OAS must remain strong to address the numerous political, social and economic problems facing the Americas, the Assistant Secretary General stressed. He also pointed to such other critical issues as abject poverty, noting the emphasis on bringing a hemispheric perspective to finding solutions.

Reference: E-001GA36