ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda Friday announced that its Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Sir Ronald Sanders, is to assume the presidency of the OAS Permanent Council for an unprecedented third term.
In a statement, St. John’s said that the historic feat “marks another significant ‘first’ for Antigua and Barbuda since the OAS expanded its membership 61 years ago.
Sir Ronald’s third official term commences on October 1, and the statement said, “he has already demonstrated his leadership and commitment by serving as president on various critical occasions, including acting as President over five sessions in the past two weeks alone.”
It said that Sir Ronald’s previous official tenures in 2016 and 2021 saw him steering the Council’s response to political crises in nations like Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
“ As a pivotal figure within the Organization, Sir Ronald has been instrumental in drafting, negotiating, and endorsing resolutions, declarations, and statements that resonate with countries across the hemisphere.
“Ambassador Sanders has consistently voiced significant issues about the Caribbean, taking a strong stance on matters like Climate Change, racism, discrimination, reparations for slavery, women’s rights, and the urgent call for social justice and equity,” the statement added.
Foreign Affairs Minister E. Paul Chet Greene says, “Ambassador Sanders’ record-setting leadership at the OAS amidst a plethora of challenges facing the nations of our Hemisphere unequivocally demonstrates that a country’s size is no barrier to its ability to lead effectively, provided it is armed with knowledge and experience.”
Sir Ronald said that his third presidency’s agenda would prominently feature critical issues like climate change, guns, gangs and violence, and access to concessional financing for development.
He said he aims to improve the inter-American system and anticipates addressing the ongoing situations in Haiti, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
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