New OAS secretary general building consensus among member states

A shared vision of peace, prosperity, democracy, human rights and economic development among member nations of the Organization of American States (OAS) remains the focus of the body, according to its Secretary General Ambassador Albert Ramdin, despite political and ideological divisions.

Speaking with The Gleaner on Friday, Ramdin, who was on May 30 elected as the first Caribbean national to lead the OAS, said cooperation was essential to the success of the 77-year-old organisation, as a divided hemisphere would not serve the interests of any country or any region.

During his tenure, which comes after a stint as assistant secretary general from 2005 to 2015, he said he would focus on the positive and constructive side of engagement.

“I’m looking at a common agenda where we can make progress. A positive, forward-looking agenda where we can make progress towards peace and prosperity. The people of the Americas want that, so leaders should follow that as well,” Ramdin said from his office in Washington, DC during the interview conducted via Zoom.

According to the secretary general: “The Organization of American States is considered the most important multilateral platform in the Americas, and as such it has a responsibility, I would like to say even an historic responsibility, and almost a moral obligation to serve the needs of the Americas collectively, the Caribbean included. And we as a hemisphere represent an enormous diversity.”

Added the Suriname-born diplomat: “So that is the second platform we are working on as we develop the organisation into a stronger, more respected, recognised Inter-American body. For too long, and too often, we have been divided. Divided because of political or ideological reasons, and we see that cooperation takes the second stage. That’s not the ideal situation, because a divided hemisphere will not serve anybody well. So I’m focusing on the positive, on the more constructive side.”

FOUR PILLARS OF THE BODY

The four pillars of the body are democracy, human rights, security and development.

Ramdin said he wants to set an agenda for progress that is forward-looking and aims for peace and prosperity for the people of the region, who, he said, want peace and for their leaders to work towards that goal.

“Nobody wants a division, because a division doesn’t bring solutions unless we work on it, unless we talk to each other. So we cannot isolate any country, we cannot isolate ourselves from problems. So, for me, it’s important that we develop a shared, common agenda for the future of the Americas, and we can build a strengthened peace and prosperity…,” he said, noting that the hemisphere was peaceful and it should be kept that way.

He believes, however, that there is a great need for more knowledge among member states about each other, as it could provide opportunities for economic development, investment flows, more trade and greater connectivity. Despite its decades of existence, he said many Central and South Americans did not know many countries in the Caribbean and, consequently, their various features.

At the same time, despite its smaller regional bloc, he believes member states of CARICOM do not know each other well; and neither does the Caribbean know much about the South American region, except among the more professional groups.

Noting also the diversity in terms of people, legal and political systems, including some countries with long periods under dictatorships, he said democracy presents different types of experiences within the OAS, including language, cuisine, the geographic region and the colonial past.

According to the OAS head, he does not see those obvious differences as negatives.

“Often, diversity is seen as a negative. I see it as a positive. I think it’s a richness which we should cherish. I don’t think it’s great to have the same kind of landscape, because that’s boring. And this one is much more interesting. But we need to learn to respect each other, to work with each other because, out of that diversity, out of the historical, social, political background, there comes with that a way of looking at things,” he said.

State of the union

The OAS, he believes, despite various challenges, is the right vehicle to seek consensus and search for solutions.

“In my view, the OAS is the right place to express those views and to seek consensus. And to make sure that there is consensus on the basis of respect, of acceptance, of embracing each other. And, even if we disagree, we must be able to sit around the table, respectfully. Whether we are large or small, powerful or not, that is the essence of multilateralism. That is, the belief that we need to work together, because it serves the interest of all of us. No country alone can deal with the problems,” said Ramdin.

As for the state of the OAS union, he said it was one of broad support, with a message of optimism.

“The message is one where I was elected by acclamation by all 32 member states, so that is indicating that not only is there broad support, but that there is consensus about moving forward with that level of optimism. I think the atmosphere needs to connect on the basis of what we share together, and where we can make progress together. And that is the spirit in which I work with member states and with the whole hemisphere,” he said.

A meeting with the Dominican Republic, when the Summit of the Americas takes place, will set out strategies for consensus. The body, he said, must make sure it is seen as a relevant organisation that is strong and can deliver what is important to member states, and he is promising to be a keen listener to members.

Noting the specific needs of the Caribbean and Central America, he said that although there were some similarities, Central America has different needs than South America, while North America has different agendas. It is against this background that, during his tenure, his objective is to make sure that the organisation caters to the needs of all member states.

He noted too that there was scepticism among some countries in the hemisphere about the value of multilateralism, pointing out that while it was a regional concern, it was also a talking point globally, even at the level of the United Nations.

erica.virtue@gleanerjm.com

Consensus around climate change

“I think when it comes to climate change, environmental changes which are taking place, I think there is pretty much widespread consensus that these things are happening,” Ramdin said, noting that some countries have taken a different approach to the issue. While the OAS has no specialisation on the issue which is affecting countries worldwide, he said the secretariat is working with member states in providing functional cooperation and support, both technical and financial, to assist climate mitigation and climate adaptation.

“We are very much aware of it. The issue of sargassum, which creates problems in many areas with beaches, that is being addressed through a large programme by the OAS in many Caribbean countries, including Jamaica. We are focusing on issues with regard to management in many of the countries. So we are very much engaged on the climate front. For us, this is certainly one of the areas where there is a common ground,” he said.

OAS door open to Cuba

Addressing the issue of Cuba’s non participation in the body, he said despite the lifting of its suspension many years ago, the country has not re-engaged.

“It is up to Cuba to decide that. We can do so much. And we are respectful of member states’ decisions, whether they want to engage or not. So, I look forward to a day, I don’t know when, that also Cuba will be sitting around the table, but treated respectfully. I’m not in favour of excluding or isolating countries. I’m not taking side in the political framework. I’m based on principles; principles that relate to the core principles of the OAS. And if things need to change in Cuba, then that is primarily a responsibility of the Cuban government and the Cuban people,” said the OAS boss.

He made it clear that the OAS Charter speaks to countries choosing their own way of governance, but said representative democracy for the body was still the best way forward.

“Cuba is not an active member and needs to decide if they want to participate in the different institutions of the OAS. First, of course, whether they are representatives to the OAS. But that is a decision which lies in the hands of the Cuban authorities,” he stated.

OAS will observe Jamaica elections

In keeping with its tradition of providing observer missions for elections, Ramdin said the OAS will send a mission to Jamaica for the parliamentary elections due in two and a half months.

“I can confirm the election observation mission to Jamaica. Of course, we do not know the date as yet. And once that is known, we will send the mission to Jamaica. Of those elections, I have done that, one time, myself. But we will send an observation mission to Jamaica,” he said.