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Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago at the OAS: "we must recognize the strength in unity and in the multilateral process”

The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) welcomed today the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who made a strong call to the countries of the region to join forces and work together to make an impact and get a voice in the global debate of policies.

At the meeting, held at the OAS headquarters in Washington DC, the OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, welcomed the leader of the Caribbean nation who took office last May, highlighting that she is the first woman elected to that office in her country and affirming that she is a "symbol of change." "She campaigned on a platform that promised change and ever since she was elected, she has shown herself to be committed to affecting change, most especially in the area of governance,” he asserted.

The head of the hemispheric organization also recognized the leadership of the Prime Minister on gender affairs, education and young people and underscored the emphasis she has placed on multilateralism as the basis for regional work. "This focus is manifested, at the regional level, through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and, at the interregional level, through the Inter-American system,” he said.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar underscored that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has committed itself to the implementation of a foreign policy that will be guided by “the principles of good governance, including transparency, accountability, participation and effective representation.” Addressing the representatives of the OAS member states, she said that “while each of us has our own unique challenges, our own domestic issues; we must recognize that there is strength in unity and in the multilateral process; indeed that is what being members of the OAS means, being part of the multilateral process.” She also urged member countries to cooperate more broadly and to unite for common causes. “To achieve that unity we must open the doors to dialogue. We might not always agree on all issues, but we must always agree to talk with a view to finding consensus.”

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar noted that given today’s global realities and challenges, the Inter-American system must prioritize regional cooperation to achieve economic, social and cultural development. In this regard she called upon the countries of the region to extend a helping hand to the nations who suffered damage from Hurricane Tomas. “I invite all of us, as colleagues, as neighbors, as members of the OAS family, where possible, to support our brothers and sisters who are in dire need,” she said.

Problems such as climate change, drug trafficking, the manufacturing of arms and ammunition, extreme poverty, hunger, diseases like HIV/AIDS, corruption and organized crime are the issues that most affect people of the Americas according to the words of Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, who also noted that “how we choose to, not only address these issues, but also provide hope beyond the rhetoric of meetings, is a real test for all of us as member states.”

Describing some of the policies adopted by her government, the leader of Trinidad and Tobago emphasized the need to create alliances and partnerships. "Today more than ever we must partner with and involve our people in the global debate on issues that concern us," she said, and continued explaining that "when people are not invited into the process of governance is when the claims of alienation and marginalization begin to surface, sometimes with very disastrous impacts. Global governance cannot be limited to the creation of instruments for the promotion of democracy. Therefore, a key component of good governance must be the establishment of fair and equitable rights and rules to enhance the development prospects of developing nations.”

For his part, the Chairman of the Permanent Council and Representative of El Salvador to the OAS, Ambassador Joaquin Maza thanked the Trinidadian leader for her visit and noted her political leadership and teaching experience as well as the active engagement of Trinidad and Tobago to the Organization’s work, including the holding of the Fifth Summit of the Americas in that country in April of 2009.

A photo gallery of the event is available here

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-428/10