OAS to focus on stability, security as COVID-19 persists

The Organisation of American States (OAS) this week concluded its two-day General Assembly discussion, where dialogue was fostered on stability and security in the hemisphere.

These issues were essentially targeted, given the upsurge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro on Thursday expressed that initiatives in communications and response to climate change were also addressed while the political situation in some countries was reviewed.
He stated the body’s willingness to continue strengthening organisation and coordination with Member States. Almagro insisted that the present situation showed the relevancy of discussing issues that are impacting the entire world.
Meanwhile, Assistant SG Nestor Mendez posited that the Organisation readily adapted to facilitate this meeting and pressing issues were deliberated on. They were able to dive into the political situations and find resolutions for Member States.
“The General Assembly also adopted important resolutions and declarations relating to issues such as financing the Organisation’s budget, food and nutrition security. Another hemispheric initiative in the area of integral development, multidimensional security, international law, and support for and follow-up to the Summits of the Americas,” Mendez shared.
Earlier in the week, Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd made his presentation at the Assembly, as he acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic continued to have a most negative impact on the development of countries. He said it was “overturning the gains made towards attaining the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals while disrupting economic growth and increasing poverty and inequality”.
“Any further delay in bringing this pandemic under control and alleviating the extreme economic distress our countries are experiencing will result in a deepened crisis, involving an increased debt burden, also a worsening unemployment situation, continued challenges to the provision of education to our children and young people, as well as a weakening of our ability to deliver adequate health care, among other things,” the Minister had noted.
Todd went on to laud organisations such as the OAS, for helping to find lasting solutions to existing hurdles that have impeded progress.
The Permanent Council of the OAS had planned a meeting on July 21 regarding the ongoing political crisis in Guyana at that time. The meeting was announced after the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government continued to refuse to facilitate a smooth transition of power even though a National Recount had confirmed that it was defeated at the March 2, 2020 polls. However, the elections stalemate was brought to an end on August 2, 2020 when Dr Irfaan Ali became Guyana’s President.
As such, the Minister acknowledged the OAS team led by Bruce Golding for its advocacy in upholding democracy:
“Guyana, like many other countries of the hemisphere, is committed to upholding the principles of democracy and the rule of law. It is, in this regard, that I extend, on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, to Secretary General Luis Almagro and officials of the General Secretariat, in particular the Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation, as well as the Member States of the Organisation, sincere gratitude for the support provided during our recent electoral crisis, which culminated in the will of the Guyanese people being respected and democracy and the rule of law triumphing, after five tense long months.”
The OAS Member States have approved the offer of Guatemala to host the 51st General Assembly of the Organisation in 2021.