The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert R. Ramdin, conducted an official visit to Madrid last week, reinforcing a long-standing and strategically important partnership with Spain.
This visit reflects the exceptional value of maintaining close engagement with one of the Organization's most historic and consistent partners and donors.
Spain has held a unique role in the OAS since becoming its first Permanent Observer in 1972, helping to strengthen ties between the Americas and Europe. Over the past 25 years, Spain has contributed more than $85 million in support of nearly 200 initiatives, including through annual contributions of the Spanish Fund for the OAS (FEPO), which will mark its 20th anniversary in June 2026. These contributions have been instrumental in advancing the Organization's core priorities: democracy, human rights, security, and development.
During the visit, Secretary General Ramdin held high-level meetings with key Spanish counterparts to further deepen this critical partnership. He also co-chaired a high-level dialogue with the State Secretary for Ibero-America and the Caribbean and for Spanish around the World, Susana Sumelzo, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to closer coordination on regional priorities.
In a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares Bueno, the Secretary General expressed appreciation for Spain's leadership and its continued support for development priorities in Latin America and the Caribbean and for OAS initiatives, particularly in peacebuilding and regional stability. He also acknowledged the vital role of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and SEPICEM in enabling the General Secretariat's work.
A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing regular, high-level political dialogue between the OAS and Spain. This framework will strengthen dialogue and cooperation across shared priority areas, including democracy, human rights, multidimensional security, and integral development.
Secretary General Ramdin also met with the Secretary-General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), Andrés Allamand,to align on forward-looking priorities such as the governance of emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and enhanced regional cooperation. Both sides underscored the importance of sustained multilateral dialogue, particularly in the lead-up to the Ibero-American Summit in Spain in November 2026.
Spain's support remains central to several OAS efforts, including the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP/OAS), the Belize–Guatemala Adjacency Zone Project, and stabilization initiatives in Haiti.
The visit underscores the OAS's commitment to maintaining strong, results-oriented partnerships.
Reference: E-053/26
