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OAS ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF CREATING REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES AT ANNUAL CCAA CONFERENCE IN FLORIDA

Delivering a keynote presentation at the thirty-second Annual Conference of the Caribbean-Central American Action (CCAA), that took place in Miami, Florida on December 1-3, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin presented political leaders and businesspeople with his views on the importance of creating sustainable economies in the region.

Among other issues, Ambassador Ramdin noted that conflicts, tension and insecurity within, and among, countries represent major threats to regional sustainability and stability in the Americas, and that the origin of these conflicts is often related to social and economic difficulties, to the position and role of marginalized groups, or to confrontation between governments and interest groups. In this regard, he expressed that “open dialogue and the ability to have recourse to a multilateral forum such as the OAS, are critical for strengthening the hemispheric integration process and for sustaining an inter-American community of nations working toward a common goal of prosperity, development and peace for its citizens.”

The current financial crisis was also mentioned among the development challenges that will affect most countries in the Western Hemisphere. Ambassador Ramdin pointed out that many Caribbean and Central American countries heavily depend on tourism and remittances and, as such, may themselves experience a situation in which, their economies may shrink resulting in closure of businesses and increased unemployment.

“I believe that in the context of hemispheric stability, security and sustainability that whatever global and regional arrangement is developed to mitigate the impact of the financial crisis, it needs to include special measures to assist the small and vulnerable economies of the Americas, which may not have the finances, the institutional capacity, nor the economic structure to respond effectively to the impact,” Ambassador Ramdin said.

In referencing the recent election in the United States, Ambassador Ramdin expressed his hope for new opportunities for enhanced cooperation and engagement to achieve a more stable political and security environment for Latin America, the Caribbean and the U.S. Likewise, he invited stronger, strategic collaboration and communication between the Caribbean Community, (CARICOM) and the System for Central American Integration, (SICA), as their member countries share many challenges, a characteristic that allows them to work together, advocate their cause with one voice and enhance their economic growth.

Finally, he encouraged leaders of the region attending the upcoming Fifth Summit of the Americas that will take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in April 2009; to take that opportunity to promote multilateralism and adopt a new strategic agenda for the Americas. “As we already have adopted many laudable declarations and mandates, this fifth Summit of the Americas -- the first one to be held in the Caribbean -- will need to focus on more efficient coordination, effective implementation, the establishment of dedicated financing windows at lending agencies, and a broadening of the role of the private sector and civil society as partners in this process.”

Reference: E-459/08