Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development Hon. Joseph Andall has challenged member states of the OAS to “evaluate the Organization’s value and vision, its institutional management and governance, and its resources, to make it fit for purpose in this current time.” He was at the time addressing the 53rd Regular Session of the Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly, which was held at the OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
With reference to the theme chosen for the general assembly, “Strengthening a culture of democratic accountability with human rights promotion, protection, and equality in the Americas,” the Foreign Minister stated that he believes we can achieve these ideals when states fortify their democratic institutions and recommit their full support for our multilateral organizations so that together with governments, they can deliver shared prosperity to all citizens of the Americas.
Minister Andall spoke to the need for frank hemispheric dialogue to address the decline of democracy in the hemisphere; the multidimensional forces that threaten our security and stability, such as the illicit trafficking of firearms; the irreversible effects of the climate crisis and support for efforts to restructure the global financial architecture; as well as support to advance viable models of funding mechanisms to finance the development needs of Small Island Developing States.
While in Washington DC, Minister Andall joined his CARICOM counterparts in a series of meetings on the margins of the OAS General Assembly, including the Atlantic Council, World Bank Group and OAS sponsored exclusive roundtable discussion on economic migration in the Caribbean.
This event, featuring policymakers and private sector leaders, focused on addressing brain drain and how Caribbean countries can better manage emigration for the benefit of their economies. The forum opened with a discussion on the findings of the World Bank’s World Development Report 2023 and its potential applications in policymaking.
Minister Andall also had brief bilateral discussions with Mr. Abdelaziz Haouaria, Minister Plenipotentiary of Morocco’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN), who is assigned to cooperate with Caribbean nations. They discussed current and new areas of cooperation with Grenada, as well as the biannual cooperation roadmap and a possible visit to Grenada by the head of the Moroccan Agency for Cooperation later this year, which will be coordinated through Grenada’s Mission to the UN, led by Ambassador Che Phillip.
On Saturday, June 24, Minister Andall concluded his visit with a meet-and-greet at Grenada House in Washington, DC, with Grenadians and friends of Grenada, in an informal gathering sponsored by the Ambassador and Embassy personnel. He emphasized the importance of the diaspora community and the elevation of the office of diaspora affairs in his Ministry.
The Minister also had the opportunity to bid farewell to Ambassador Yolande Y. Smith, whose tenure will end on June 30, and to introduce the diaspora community to Dr. Wendell Cornwall, the newly appointed Consular and Alternate Representative who will oversee the Washington Mission until the arrival of Ambassador Designate Mr. Tarlie Francis.
In addition, the minister was able to conduct a brief interview with Florida National News (FNN)
