Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray was elected president of the 47th OAS General Assembly by acclamation at its first plenary session. The assembly is being held in Cancun from June 19-21.
In his remarks, the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Mexico's interest in and commitment to the OAS, and he stressed the importance of the principles and values shared by the member States: democracy as the best model for peaceful and inclusive coexistence; full protection of human rights; integral development; solidarity among the countries of the hemisphere; and international law as the standard of conduct among countries.
He also referred to some of the most important hemispheric issues, such as strengthening the inter-American human rights system, migration, democracy, sustainable development, the global drug problem and the rights of indigenous peoples. After his address, he led a general debate in which the member States had the opportunity to contribute to each item on the agenda.
Subsequently, the Foreign Secretary attended the signing of the Framework Agreement between the National Conference of Governors (Conago) and the OAS General Secretariat to encourage state governments in Mexico to sign framework agreements with the OAS on cooperation at the local level.
In addition, the Foreign Secretary moderated the panel discussion on opportunities and challenges for women’s leadership in the Americas, together with the Vice President and Foreign Minister of Panama, Isabel de Saint Malo. He reiterated Mexico's firm commitment to gender equality and, specifically, to the inclusion of women in public life.
Secretary Videgaray also held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Jamaica and Guyana to discuss regional topics of common interest.
Today, as well, there was a discussion with the OAS observer countries, in which the importance of their cooperation with and support for the OAS was highlighted.
The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the OAS. It meets annually to assess the results of the organization's various activities and to renew the mandates that guide its work.