Minister The Hon Frederick A. Mitchell Speaks at Protocolary Meeting of the Permanent Council to Commemorate Pan American Day and Week
Minister Mitchell Giving Remarks at the OAS.
April 15, 2024
The Honourable Frederick Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas delivered keynote remarks in the Protocolary Meeting of the Permanent Council to Commemorate Pan-American Day and Week. Celebrated annually on April 14th, the Permanent Council commemorated the occasion on April 15th of the First International Conference of American States in 1890. This event led to the creation of the International Union of American Republics, which serves as the foundation of the Organization of American States, established in 1948. The Protocolary Meeting was Chaired by Ambassador Chet Neymour, Chair of the Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the OAS. Remarks were provided by Assistant Secretary General, Nestor Mendez, and the Regional Coordinators.
In his opening remarks, Chair of the Permanent Council, Ambassador Chet Neymour reflected on the foundation of the Organization of American States and its legacy which fosters regional unity and cooperation. He noted that this week provides an opportunity to also acknowledge the shared challenges that confront the Americas and the responsibility of Member States to respond and collaborate to address common issues. He stated that the purpose of this commemorative occasion is not only to celebrate the past but that it is also about investing in the future, particular the young people of the Americas who through events and programs such as these foster a sense of hemispheric identity, creating future leaders.
Following Ambassador Neymour’s remarks, Minister Mitchell addressed the Member States of the OAS in his keynote remarks. In his address, he defined Pan-Americanism, achievements of the inter-American system, discussed challenges in the Americas and charted a way forward. In defining Pan-Americanism, Minister Mitchell noted the Pan-American “spirit that was first animated by the Haitian and American Revolutions of the late 18th centuries, driven by the just causes of pursuit of freedom from the tyranny of a colonizing foreign minority and the realization of liberty, equality and socio-political inclusion for all citizens.” He commended the Haitian people of which an immense debt is owed as they led the largest slave revolt that founded a new society ruled by a black majority.
Minister Mitchell addressed Member States and asked for them to recommit to the work to craft an OAS and inter-American system that reflects the dynamism of the hemisphere and builds on the legacy and ambition of those that came before us. He challenged the OAS to provide language training opportunities to Member States to ensure the Organization better represents the entire region and not limited by the dual language proficiency requirement. He stressed the many achievements including the development of the human rights system and its landmark Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the American Declaration of the Rights of Duties of Man, the first international human rights instrument.
In closing, he challenged Member States to dream of an Americas that leads the world in decarbonization and to build on the commitments emanating from the meeting held in The Bahamas in October 2023, the Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Sustainable Development. He further noted that the Americas should lead the world on reform of the international financial architecture including official development aid and development financing. The Americas is gripped by the legacies of slavery and racial segregation, he then called on this hemisphere to lead the world on advocacy for reparative justice for persons of Afro descent, indigenous persons and other vulnerable groups.” Finally, he restated his conviction that a more perfect Americas is work that may be accomplished together, one that its citizens want and honors the legacy of the struggles of our forebears.