Executive Secretariat for Integral Development
Official Picture of Kim Hurtault-Osborne
Kim Hurtault-Osborne
Executive Secretary for Integral Development

As the OAS's dedicated arm for development, the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) collaborates closely with OAS member states to advance inclusive and sustainable economic, social, and human development across the Americas. Through regional policy dialogue and the implementation of targeted mandates, we provide technical assistance and foster development cooperation initiatives that build the capacity of institutions and individuals. Our efforts span critical areas such as education, employment, competitiveness, innovation, natural resource management, and climate action, generating substantial and lasting impact throughout the Hemisphere.

In an era of unprecedented global change, SEDI’s commitment to regional climate action is unwavering. We deliver essential programs that enhance the sustainability of member states, addressing both immediate challenges and long-term needs.

Under the OAS 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, SEDI is entrusted with advancing specific objectives:

• Promoting inclusive and competitive economies

• Strengthening the implementation of sustainable development goals

• Enhancing education and human development across the Americas

• Promoting decent, dignified, and productive work for all

• Fostering development cooperation and establishing strategic partnerships

• Developing competitive, secure, sustainable, and inclusive ports

These objectives underscore the dedication of Member States to preserving their hard-won socio-economic progress and advancing the goals outlined in Agenda 2030. SEDI's strategic focus equips the region to confront today’s challenges while laying the foundation for a more sustainable and prosperous tomorrow.




More Results
Highlighted Results
From 2006 to 2022 RIAL has done 120 Bilateral Cooperation Activities involving 32 Ministries of Labor

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24 hemispheric workshops held with technical officials from Ministries of Labor in social dialogue, youth employment, eradication of child labor, etc.

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CooperaNet has promoted 241 offers of cooperation from the Member States in 9 areas of focus.

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CooperaNet is the main information channel and repository from the specialized meetings of high cooperation authorities in development.
Training of 55,000 citizens from 35 countries through 40 virtual courses.
35,000+ participants enrolled in the OAS Youth Academy on Transformative Technology.
18 Technical Cooperation Programs implemented for the 2021-2024 programming cycle
60 SEBRAE Nacional and State representatives completed a week-long training program, enhancing their skills in supporting small enterprises.
Over 100 government, NGO, private sector, and academic stakeholders in Ecuador were introduced to the U.S. SBDC model in virtual sessions by UTSA.
37 million visits to the OAS’s SICE, the most consulted online portal for trade policy in the Americas.
Structure
Technical Cooperation Section (TCS)
SEDI’s Technical Cooperation Section optimizes partnerships, creates alliances and networks, and provides targeted technical cooperation.
Department of Economic Development (DED)
The Department of Economic Development promotes growth, competitiveness, and innovation in Member States through programs aiding economic actors in domestic and international markets. Focused on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, it fosters job creation, poverty reduction, and social inclusion. DED also supports political dialogue, experience exchange, strategic alliances, and the development of commercial opportunities.
Department of Human Development, Education and Employment (DHDEE)
The Department of Human Development, Education and Employment (DHDEE) offers programs that provide scholarships and loans for academic studies and professional development; innovative online training opportunities; training and knowledge sharing opportunities for teachers and for education policymakers; support for institutional capacity strengthening and horizontal cooperation for education and employment. DHDEE also promotes policy dialogue on education and labor among all OAS Member States.
Department of Sustainable Development (DSD)
The Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) supports OAS Member States in accelerating the transition to sustainability through policy, technical assistance, and capacity building. DSD fosters environmental, social, and economic gains that promote sustainable development and Inter-American cooperation. It also promotes policies grounded in empirical data to enable long-term hemispheric security, democracy, and economic prosperity, while encouraging inclusiveness and integration.
Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP)
The Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP) is the only permanent forum that brings together the National Port Authorities of the OAS’s 34 Member Countries and leaders of the maritime-port industry to promote the development of a secure, competitive, sustainable, and inclusive sector.
More Projects
Highlighted Projects, Programs and Initiatives
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CooperaNet
An online platform that offers a consolidated space to optimize partnerships, build alliances and networks, leverage development assistance, and provide more demand-driven technical cooperation.
Worker with big machinery above
Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL)
Mechanism for cooperation among the Ministries of Labor of the Americas
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Small Business Development Centers Program (SBDC)
The SBDC program envisions a sustainable small business assistance network across Latin America and the Caribbean, based on the U.S. model, providing entrepreneurs with community-level resources and s
Development Cooperation Fund (DCF)
The OAS Development Cooperation Fund is a non-reimbursable technical cooperation instrument that promotes initiatives that respond to the specific needs of member states
Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas
Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas
Shared leadership in the implementation of energy and climate change initiatives and the exchange of experiences across the Americas.
4 people in a conference, with microphones in front of them, several national flags behind, logo OAS/CIP
Knowledge Transfer for Strengthening Technical Capabilities in the Port Sector of the Americas
The Inter-American Committee on Ports Secretariat provides a platform for dialogue on knowledge-sharing and creation of technical capacities on ports.
The delegation of workers makes an intervention during the ILIX OAS General Assembly
Coordination with Workers and Employers within the framework of the OAS
The OAS enables the participation of workers and employers in the processes of the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML), General Assembly and Summit of the Americas
OAS logo and Rowe Fund with a 75-year anniversary design and dates 1948-2023. Contains 14 students in graduation cap and gown displaying diploma with right hand
Rowe Fund Program - Financial aid for studies in the United States
The OAS Rowe Fund program helps finance the costs of studies at U.S. universities for international students from Latin American and the Caribbean by granting interest-free loans of up-to US$15,000.
Logo of Prospecta Americas Initiaitive.
Prospecta Americas
Regional technology foresight network on top transformative technologies that aims to identify, map and study trends and technological developments in sectors of critical importance for the Americas.
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OAS Youth Academy on Transformative Technologies for the Americas
A partnerships initiative to train and certify youth of the Americas with the skills, abilities and credentials they need to access the jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities of the digital economy.
Group of leaders from the public, private and academic sectors.
Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE)
The Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) is the premier economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurial network of the Americas.
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Educational Portal of the Americas
Virtual platform that connects citizens with educational opportunities to develop their professional skills, promoting scholarships, training courses, academic events, etc.
A mentor provides advice to a group of young professionals in a co-work setting.
HUB of Technology Transfer and Commercialization for the Americas
The HUB is a 2-week advanced training program and professional network that seeks to transfer products, services, scientific and technological solutions and innovations from idea to market.
Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas
A network of indigenous leaders and tourism industry organizations created to drive collaborative action in support of sustainable development and growth in indigenous communities.
Inter American Dialogue of MSMEs Authorities
The Inter-American Dialogue of High-Level MSME Authorities provides a forum for the exchange of experiences and identification of cooperation initiatives to improve the competitiveness and innovation
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Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC)
Regional initiative that promotes policy dialogue and collaboration opportunities on competitiveness, economic development, innovation, and technology.
Scholarship and Training Programs of the OAS
The program offers scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate academic studies and professional development.
Official Photo with National Port Authorities and OAS-CIP representatives at the XI CIP Regular Meeting in Mexico.
Ministerial and High Authorities Port Policy Dialogue Process
Ongoing policy dialogue at the highest level in support of the development of a competitive, safe, sustainable and inclusive port sector in the Americas.
More Publications
Highlighted Publications
The title in white font over an orange background, logo OAS SEDI
April, 2024
Securing Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Development Cooperation in the Americas.
SEDI's 2023 BROCHURE
February, 2024
SEDI's Annual Report to the Inter-American Council for Integral development (CIDI)
SEDI's Highlights, Programs and Results for 2023
Resources
Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL) Website
The Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL) is the mechanism for cooperation among the Ministries of Labor of the Americas that seeks to build their human and institutional capacities.
CooperaNet WebPage
CooperaNet is a Cooperation Exchange Online Hub driving regional cooperation and partnerships for development in the Americas.
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