OAS representative to Barbados, Francis McBarnette; Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture’s Representative to Barbados, Ena Harvey; Juan Carlos De La Hoz Vinas, IDB Country Representative for Barbados; US Ambassador to Barbados, Linda Taglialatela; Guyana’s Consul General to Barbados, Cita Pilgrim; Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Barbados, Gustavo Pandiani and Dr. Godfrey Xuereb, PAHO/WHO representative for Barbados and Eastern Caribbean toast the 70th anniversary of the OAS.
OAS commended for support provided to Barbados
The Organisation of American States (OAS) has been lauded for the support offered to Barbados in a number of areas, in particular culture and tourism and small business development, as well as counterdrug initiatives and capacity building.
In respect of the latter, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Jerome Walcott said this country is particularly appreciative of the assistance offered by the Inter-American Drug Abuse Commission (CICAD) of the OAS. He made the comments while addressing those attending a function on Friday evening at the Inter-American Development Bank to mark the 70th anniversary of the creation of the OAS.
According to Minister Walcott, CICAD has made a significant difference in Barbados’ national efforts to not only develop sound evidence-based drug policies for the country, but to reduce the demand for drugs. Moreover, he said that the Drug Treatment Court, which came into effect within the last few years, has had a “remarkable success rate” and he is confident that it serves a regional best practice.
His comments came as he said that the theme of this 70th anniversary celebration “OAS: 70 years working for the citizens of the Americas. Peace, Democracy, Development and Rights for All” is fitting as it speaks to the core values of the organisation, its raison d’etre and its achievements. He said that the OAS, the world’s oldest regional organisation, is today the main political, juridical and intergovernmental forum in the America and is an avenue for independent states of the Americas to meet.
“Its guiding four principles or pillars remain its commitment to the preservation of democracy, human rights, security and development, which stand in alignment with the remit of the foreign policy of the Barbados Government. This organisation is one of the unique regional spaces where countries, regardless of size or GDP can come together to work to overcome regional and global challenges,” he added.
The Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister made the point as he highlighted the important role that the OAS country offices play. To that end, he said Barbados and the Member States of CARICOM have called for a strengthening of the role of those offices, especially in the Caribbean region, as that they can deliver more direct and targeted assistance where it can be of most benefit. (JRT)