Asunción, Agencia IP.- Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano proposed shaping a more human and people-centered Organization of American States (OAS) that responds to new challenges. «The actions of the General Secretariat should not be unilateral; they must result from dialogue and consensus to restore the relevance and legitimacy the organization has held throughout its history,» he stated.
«President Santiago Peña is committed to multilateralism and decided to present my candidacy for one of the oldest spaces of multilateralism,» said Ramírez during the announcement of his candidacy for the position of OAS Secretary-General for the 2025-2030 term.
The Paraguayan Foreign Minister and Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albert Ramdin, are the two candidates competing to lead the organization, replacing Luis Almagro. The elections are set for March 10 of this year.
«With time, the emergence of phenomena such as transnational organized crime, health crises, the advent of social media, and disruptive technological changes—including artificial intelligence, automation, and digitalization—makes it necessary to expand the institutional approach to incorporate these new elements into the dialogue and analysis process,» the Minister said during the assembly convened to hear both candidates’ proposals.
Ramírez emphasized the need for increased dialogue and negotiation between OAS member states and the General Secretariat, not only for daily management but also to ensure that all mandates of the organization result from consensus.
In this regard, «the actions of the General Secretariat cannot be unilateral but must result from dialogue and consensus to regain the necessary credibility, legitimacy, and relevance that the organization has historically held, going beyond mere declarations and successfully addressing the many challenges facing the hemisphere,» he stated.
A leading role in defending democracy
Additionally, he acknowledged the «disenchantment» in the Americas regarding the quality of democracy, emphasizing the importance of restoring the OAS’s leadership in strengthening, promoting, and defending democracy—»an inescapable institutional mandate,» he stressed.
«Political conflicts in the region repeatedly arise, characterized by societal division and polarization, putting the stability of democratic processes at risk. This is why we will focus on strengthening democratic institutions. While always respecting each country’s sovereignty, we will create crisis and early response teams to foster dialogue and consensus, preventing the escalation of these situations and seeking solutions,» he explained.
At another point in his speech, he stated that beyond strengthening institutional pillars to address new challenges, ensuring the organization’s efficient and effective administration is also essential.
On this matter, the Minister proposed restructuring the OAS by adjusting its structure and human resources to make it less bureaucratic and more people-centered, giving the organization a more human face.
«With me as Secretary-General of the OAS, you will have a partner who seeks the necessary balance to engage in dialogue, propose consensus-building alternatives, and drive development—fulfilling the historic mission of the Americas to offer mankind a land of freedom and an environment conducive to personal growth and the realization of just aspirations,» he concluded.