On October 23, leaders of the Inter-American Defense Board and the Committee on Hemispheric Security of the Organization of American States (CSH/OAS) held an important working meeting, with the aim of multiplying the joint efforts made to fulfill the mandates of the Inter-American Defense Board established by the Organization of American States and its Democratic Charter.
The meeting was held at the Embassy of Saint Kitts and Nevis in Washington, DC, home of Ambassador Jacinth Henry-Martin, Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the OAS and current Chair of the OAS Committee on Hemispheric Security, who was accompanied on the occasion by Ambassador Luz Elena Baños Rivas, First Vice President of the CSH-OAS; by Counselor Pamela Polanco Jorge, Second Vice President of the CSH-OAS; and by First Secretary Claudia Andrea Escobar Rey, Third Vice President of the CSH-OAS.
The IADB was represented by Brigadier General Marco Antonio Álvarez Reyes, President of the Council of Delegates; by Brigadier Major Flavio Luiz de Oliveira Pinto, Director General of the Secretariat; and by Colonel Petronio Cegarra, Representative of the Director of the Inter-American Defense College, accompanied by Colonel Daniel Fitch, Director of the IADB's Undersecretariat for Advisory Services, and Colonel Claudio Alcázar, IADB Liaison Officer with the OAS.
During the dialogue, both the Committee on Hemispheric Security and the Inter-American Defense Board agreed on the importance of continuing to collaborate, promote and disseminate the different lines of action in the areas of Cooperation in the Face of Disasters, Cybersecurity, Humanitarian Demining, Women, Peace and Security, Migratory Flows, Arms Management, Environmental Protection and Maritime Security among the Member States of the OAS, in order to benefit and multiply the capacities of the States, always with respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of each Member State, emphasizing that working together will actively contribute to limiting the effects of threats, challenges and other concerns in the countries of the Hemisphere.
Likewise, the IADB Directorate reiterated its commitment, dedication and efforts to continue promoting actions that strengthen development, respect for human rights, security and democracy, fundamental pillars of the OAS, while celebrating that the leadership of the Hemispheric Security Committee is exercised by distinguished women committed to the security and development of all the States of the Hemisphere, who in turn expressed their willingness to seek cooperation, collaboration and dialogue to implement solutions to the common threats that plague the peace and security of the American peoples.
