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Press Release

OAS AND INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS
SEEK DYNAMIC COLLABORATION

The Organization of American States (OAS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are exploring concrete, new ways to bring added dynamism to their relations. The two organizations have expressed interest in stepped-up collaboration on such key issues as natural disasters, combating the urban youth gang phenomenon, and international humanitarian law.

The ICRC also signaled its intention to appoint an official in its Washington office, to be specifically devoted to OAS issues.

OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin Wednesday reviewed these and other related matters with the ICRC’s Delegate General for Europe and the Americas, Beatrice Megevand-Roggo, and Head of the ICRC Delegation in Washington, Geoff Loane.

Enhanced collaboration in this regard “fits within the objective of the OAS leadership to strengthen relations with international organizations at different levels,” the Assistant Secretary General stated, adding, “It fits within the scope of new ways of look at the role of the OAS in the Western Hemisphere, in the context of global developments also.”

Ambassador Ramdin said that, given the ICRC’s proven track record, the OAS would seek stronger working relations and would strengthen the “political profile of the relationship,” which could include regular visits between the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the OAS Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General and Permanent Council. Efforts would be made to bolster collaboration at the technical level as well, it was stressed.

Citing earlier collaboration agreements, including a 2003 memorandum of understanding, Megevand-Roggo described today’s discussions at OAS headquarters as a concrete move “to put more substance to the relationship between the OAS and the ICRC.” She also expressed an interest in strengthening the institutional dialogue at the highest level, so as to develop appropriate institutional and operational contacts regarding specific thematic areas, including political violence as it pertains to the impact on civilians like women children, minority and indigenous peoples, and migration issues and their impact on the security of civilians.

Ramdin and Megevand-Roggo shared the view that more advantage could be taken of their institutions’ shared interests and concerns on a range of issues pertaining the Americas. They noted too that both organizations were already engaged in important initiatives in the countries of this hemisphere, and that collaboration would therefore be very beneficial to those endeavors.

Reference: E-250/05