Albert Ramdin Takes Office as New OAS Secretary General
Washington – May 26, 2025 By Josué Sénat May 26, 2025, marks the beginning of the term of Albert Ramdin, the new Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), succeeding Luis Almagro.
By Josué Senat · Port-au-Prince · · 2 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
Washington – May 26, 2025
By Josué Sénat
May 26, 2025, marks the beginning of the term of Albert Ramdin, the new Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), succeeding Luis Almagro.
In a press statement, the new Secretary General of this hemispheric organization outlined his vision and the objectives that will guide his actions throughout his term. Guided by the organization’s values, he affirmed that he will assume his role not “as an individual, but as a committed servant of the peoples of the Americas.”
“I am inspired by the diversity, resilience, and potential of our hemisphere, and I am fully committed to contributing to building a future founded on peace, security, prosperity, cooperation, and mutual respect.”
The first Caribbean national elected to this post, this diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname is well acquainted with the OAS, having served as Assistant Secretary General of the Organization from 2005 to 2015. He begins his term at a time when the OAS must fully assume its responsibility as a regional integration organization. The Secretary General will also have to manage several crises, notably the Haitian crisis, as the United States calls for increased engagement on this issue.
Ambassador Ramdin shared his vision of “leading a more responsive, inclusive, and effective OAS. An organization that reflects the diversity and dynamism of our region and offers concrete benefits to all.”
Although he acknowledges that the path will not be easy, the new Secretary General called for unity and the establishment of political will to strengthen ties between nations, institutions, and, above all, the peoples of the Americas.
During the term of former Secretary General Luis Almagro, the OAS experienced a standoff with Nicolas Maduro’s Venezuela. The latter withdrew from the Organization. Nicaragua, in turn, followed suit. In addition to the Haitian crisis, the new Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, will have to strive to bring the Organization closer to these dissident countries for complete integration in America, respecting the sovereignty of states.
