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OAS-AFRICAN UNION MEETING ENDS, AMIDST CALLS FOR AMERICAS-AFRICA SUMMIT

The Organization of American States (OAS) and the African Union (AU) today ended their first working meeting, resolved to strengthen their cooperation around the promotion of democracy, amidst calls for an Americas-Africa Summit to consolidate the “democratic partnership” of these regions.

OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin wrapped up the historic two-day working session, calling for “a meeting of both regions at the highest political level—an Americas-Africa Summit,” which would help translate the noble objectives and intentions articulated at the two-day meeting, into “real action to the benefit of both regions” in the areas of trade, economy, security, health, and other areas.

“An Africa-Americas Summit could provide a valuable platform from which to build this democratic partnership between our regions; with a targeted, realistic and executable action agenda,” Ramdin explained. Asserting that the strengthening of cooperation by regional organizations is even more relevant today than ever before, he said the just-concluded meeting focused on shared experiences and challenges faced by the Americas and Africa alike as they seek to promote and defend democracy.

According to Ambassador Ramdin, the discussions underscored how challenges such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion can undermine positive efforts to build democracies and peaceful societies in both continents. “For democracy to be truly meaningful, the fruits of democracy must also nurture and feed the social and economic well being of our citizens,” Ramdin went on to state, noting that “expectations in both Africa and the Americas are high.”

During Thursday’s session, the participants heard from a range of speakers, including United States Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky; former President of Cape Verde Antonio Mascaranhas Monteiro; Guatemala’s Vice President Eduardo Stein; OAS Assistant Secretary for Political Affairs Dante Caputo; and AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Said Djinnit.

Meanwhile, OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza has announced the establishment of a high-level network of experts on democracy-related issues, including electoral and constitutional reform, access to justice, good governance, citizen participation, transparency and anti-corruption initiatives as well as others cited in the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The experts—distinguished OAS member country nationals of outstanding professional experience—will be engaged in OAS missions, forums and seminars, and will also provide technical advice.

The working sessions of the OAS-AU meeting covered a range of topics, among them: Promoting Democracy in Latin America and Africa: From Rhetoric to Reality; The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the Inter-American Democratic Charter; Strengthening Democratic Institutions and Promoting Democratic Values; Political Dialogue and Conflict Prevention; Protection and Promotion of Human Rights; and Santiago to Bamako: Democracy Promotion within the Community of Democracies Process.

Reference: E-173/07