WASHINGTON, CMC – The Organization of American States (OAS) says the Permanent Representative of Suriname, Jan Marten Schalkwijk, has assumed the chair of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) of the organization.
Schalkwijk, who assumed the position on Tuesday, will hold it until December 2025.
During a ceremony held at OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C., Schalkwijk stated that during his tenure, the primary focus would be on “capacity building to improve trade in the Americas as a pillar of inclusive and sustainable development.”
Outgoing Vice Chair of CIDI and Representative of Colombia to the OAS, Luis Ernesto Vargas, said: “On behalf of the outgoing Chair of CIDI, Ambassador Gilchrist of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and also on my behalf, thank you all for your support during our term, and best wishes for success to those assuming the Chair and Vice Chair positions.”
The OAS stated that the Permanent Representative of Brazil, Benoni, will hold the vice chair position for the second term of the year.
The chair of CIDI rotates every six months according to alphabetical order in Spanish.
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