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OAS Assistant Secretary General: “We Need a New Orientation in International Affairs in View of the Economic Rise of Developing Countries”

The Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, presented his views on the impact of the economic changes occurring in developing countries and the impact they will have in world affairs, during a presentation yesterday of a report titled, “Perspectives on Global Development,” prepared by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

At the event, which took place at OAS headquarters in Washington, DC, Ambassador Ramdin spoke about OAS - OECD collaboration and the significant structural changes that have taken place in the global economy over the past two decades, especially those related to the current shift in wealth from the world’s most developed economies to the several newly emerging economic powers.

“Shifting of wealth is part of a global process of repositioning of countries and private capital,” Ramdin explained, adding that “it is a consequence of the end of the cold war, the breaking down of the bi-polar world, the opening up of major markets, globalizations and trade liberalization.”

Ramdin also advocated for a “deep and strategic discussion on the elements of the emerging global governance structures to ensure that they are inclusive and not exclusive, that they are democratic in decision-making and not dominated by the few, and that they are mandated and equipped to serve all nations equally.”

In that sense, the Assistant Secretary General noted that more than 80% of the world’s population is not being represented in the global debate. “In my view that is unacceptable, especially if we know that the inter-connectedness of the world is of such a nature that not taking account of the interests of the developing nations is ultimately going to hurt the richer countries in the world as well,” and therefore he called for a new global financial and economic order, and a new vision of the world.

He further also spoke about the various challenges the world is facing today, including climate change and poverty eradication, and asserted that in light of them, “there is a need for a new orientation in international affairs in terms of the linkages between countries and how they relate to each other.”

“No country alone on its own can solve these problems; there is need for consultation, cooperation and collaboration. Therefore we need to start rethinking the role of international organizations and regional organizations to facilitate a smooth transition,” he said and highlighted the special role of the OAS in this global and regional debate, including some of the initiatives Member States are taking to promote cooperation and exchange of information, mainly in the areas of social protection and development.

Ambassador Ramdin was invited to join the debate on shifting wealth caused by the economic rise of large developing countries and the implications for the global economy. Experts from OECD and from the Carnegie Endowment for International peace also joined the conversation.

A photo gallery of the event is available here.

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

Reference: E-333/10