The 54th General Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS) opened today in Assumption, Paraguay. The event, dedicated this year to the theme “Integration and security for sustainable development”, is of greatest importance for the OAS, the main forum for regional coordination and cooperation that brings together most of the North American, Latin American and Caribbean states.
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, who sent the Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Laura Carpini, and the Italian Ambassador to the OAS, Simone Turchetta, to represent Italy at the meeting, said: “Italy, also in its capacity as G7 President, considers the OAS as a key player with which to cooperate in order to jointly address the new challenges in the region, which is a priority for our foreign policy”.
At the meeting, to be attended by 32 OAS member states, 20 Foreign Ministers from the region will address the main current issues and define the political guidelines of the Organisation.
Italy will also participate in important events held on the margins of the General Assembly. In particular, thanks to the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the OAS and the Government of Paraguay organised an event dedicated to the Program of Judicial Facilitators to promote access to justice, where Paraguayan President Santiago Peña spoke, while the Inter-American Commission of Women brought together several women leaders from the region to discuss the role of women in conflict situations.