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 QUITO,
Ecuador — The Foreign Ministers of the Americas by consensus elected
former Costa Rican President
Miguel Ángel Rodríguez as the new Secretary General of the
Organization of American States (OAS). Rodríguez will succeed former
Colombian President César Gaviria as head of the hemispheric
Organization for the next five years.
Rodriguez was elected during the OAS’ thirty fourth regular General
Assembly session, which opened yesterday. His candidacy was submitted by
Costa’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Roberto Tovar Faja, who underscored
Rodriguez’ professional and personal qualifications, while commending
Gaviria’s “fruitful leadership” of the OAS.
Accepting and expressing appreciation, the OAS Secretary General-elect
pledged “to promote the inter-American ideals.” He added, “We want to
pursue freedom, justice and development so that every citizen of the
Americas can enjoy a decent life and realizing his or her full human
potential.”
Rodriguez went on tell the Foreign Ministers: “I know the rudder belongs
to the member states and I pledge my utmost creativity and devotion in
charting a happy course.”
Welcoming his successor’s election, Secretary General Gaviria declared
that “with the election of Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, the OAS will
certainly enter a period of renewal and strengthening.” He added:
“President Rodríguez brings solid experience. He has served his country
with distinction and is more familiar with the hemisphere’s problems
than most. His discipline, seriousness and professionalism will bring a
positive influence to bear on inter-American American relations.”
Click here to access the curriculum-vitae of the Secretary General-elect
Miguel Angel Rodriguez
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