Why Antigua and Barbuda Should Host the OAS General Assembly
A Small Country’s Big Role in Preserving Peace and Stability
On June 28, 2024, Antigua and Barbuda offered to host the 2025 General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS). The country’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, invited it to host the assembly, and all member states unanimously accepted it at the 54th Regular General Assembly in Paraguay.
Why would a small country like Antigua and Barbuda take on the responsibility of hosting high-level delegates from Canada, the US, and Mexico in the North to Brazil and Argentina in the South, with the countries of the Caribbean in between? The simple answer is that the OAS has immense value, particularly to small states, which rely on the commitments of much larger states, especially their neighbors, to respect and honor territorial integrity.
A Crucial Organization for Peace and Stability in the Americas
The OAS has been crucial to the well-being of all its member states and their relations with each other. The nations of the Americas have enjoyed a remarkable period of peace, having not experienced major wars between them since 1935. In contrast, regions such as Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa have been plagued by numerous wars, resulting in millions of deaths, shifting borders, and persistent hostility.
This enduring peace in the Americas has allowed borders to remain stable, fostering an environment conducive to investment, social improvement, and economic development.
OAS: A 77-Year-Old Organization Committed to Peace and Stability
The maintenance of this peace is mainly due to the 77-year-old OAS. From its early beginnings, the OAS established principles in its binding charter, committing every member state to two fundamental undertakings: “To strengthen the peace and security of the continent” and “To prevent possible causes of difficulties and to ensure the pacific settlement of disputes that may arise among the Member States.”
OAS Role in Promoting Democratic Governance and the Rule of Law
The organization’s Member states bound themselves to the principle that “The American States condemn war of aggression,” adding that “victory does not give rights.” By signing up to the OAS Charter, member states accepted that “Peaceful procedures shall settle controversies of an international character arising between two or more American States.”
OAS Efforts in Building National Electoral Infrastructure and Overseeing Elections
The OAS has been pivotal in maintaining peace and stability in the Americas since its inception. Through its Charters and organs, it has established a binding framework of law that governs relations among member states across various domains.
The OAS’s involvement in building national electoral infrastructure and overseeing elections is another crucial aspect of its work. Ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections is vital for the legitimacy of governance and fostering public trust in democratic institutions.
The OAS’s Critical Role in Promoting Social and Economic Development
Haiti serves as another example of the OAS’s critical role. Despite the immense challenges faced by Haiti, the OAS has consistently worked to stabilize the nation and support its development, including through the work of the OAS mission to Haiti in 2016, which I led, to ensure that a transitional national government was established, by the Haitian Constitution, to replace the expired government of Michel Martelly.
A Cornerstone of America’s Peace, Stability, and Development
The passage of Hurricane Beryl across several Caribbean countries, leaving death and destruction in its wake, especially in the smaller islands of Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, underscores the importance of the organization in galvanizing international action to curb the impacts of climate change and operationalizing the “loss and damage” fund pledged by the large polluting nations at UN Climate Change conferences.
The OAS is a cornerstone of America’s peace, stability, and development. Its contributions have created a more stable and prosperous region, demonstrating the power of cooperation and legal frameworks. The OAS’s value is clear, and its continued support is essential for the well-being of all member states and their citizens.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the OAS’s role in promoting peace, stability, and democratic governance in the Americas is invaluable. By hosting the OAS General Assembly, Antigua and Barbuda can demonstrate its commitment to the organization and its principles.
FAQs
Q: What is the Organization of American States (OAS)?
A: The OAS is a regional organization that promotes peace, stability, and cooperation among its member states in the Americas.
Q: What is the OAS’s role in promoting democracy and the rule of law?
A: The OAS promotes democracy and the rule of law by providing technical assistance and observing elections in its member states.
Q: What is the OAS’s role in responding to crises and conflicts?
A: The OAS responds to crises and conflicts by providing mediation and negotiation services to help member states resolve their disputes peacefully.
Q: What is the OAS’s relationship with other international organizations?
A: The OAS has relationships with other international organizations, such as the United Nations, to advance its goals and objectives.
Q: Why is the OAS important to small states like Antigua and Barbuda?
A: The OAS is important to small states like Antigua and Barbuda because it provides a platform for them to engage with larger countries and promote their interests.