OAS Gets New Assistant Secretary General

News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Fri. 17, 2015:  The Organization of American States (OAS) has a new Assistant Secretary General.

Former Permanent Representative of Belize to the Organization of American States (OAS) Nestor Mendez took the office today in a ceremony attended by the Minister of Foreign Relations of Belize, Wilfred Elrington.

The Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, congratulated the new Assistant Secretary General stating: “I have nothing short of great expectations for our work together.”

For his part, Mendez reiterated his commitment to work closely with Secretary General Almagro in the process of modernization of the institution.

“We must find ways to overcome our challenges and create the enabling environment for economic and social prosperity by identifying new areas of cooperation, creative financing mechanisms, and maximizing the catalytic potential of the OAS,” he said.

Ambassador Mendez was elected OAS Assistant Secretary General for the 2015-2020 period on March 18 with 24 of the 34 votes cast. Nestor Mendez served as Ambassador of Belize to the OAS and to the Government of the United States since June 2008. He was an advisor to the Belize High Commission in London from 1997 to 1999 and holds a postgraduate title from George Washington in International Affairs.

Ambassador Mendez replaces Ambassador Albert Ramdin in the post of OAS Assistant Secretary General.