The Organisation of American States (OAS) on Monday elected Surinamese Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin as its new secretary general through 2030, taking over from Uruguayan diplomat Luis Almagro and marking the body’s first Caribbean leader.
Ramdin, 66, has served as Surinam’s top diplomat since 2020, and was previously the OAS’ assistant secretary general for two terms from 2005 through 2015.
He has pushed for greater efficiency in the organisation and highlighted the need for it to better support Haiti, which is facing a conflict against armed gangs with limited international aid.
“This is the first time in the history of the OAS that a representative from the Caribbean has been elected Secretary General,” Suriname’s government said in a statement.
“It is a great honor for Suriname that our candidate has been supported by the vast majority of the member states.”
Suriname’s President Chan Santokhi has praised Ramdin’s “calm assurance” as a trusted advisor and adept diplomat. (Reuters)
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