The Organization of American States (OAS) today launched a collaboration platform with the private sector aimed at promoting economic growth and social development in the Americas, during a forum held in Panama City on the eve of the Organization's 56th General Assembly. The initiative seeks to leverage the region's strengths as a zone of peace, its strategic geographic position, its human talent and entrepreneurial capacity, as well as its energy wealth, critical resources, and biodiversity.
The announcement was made by OAS Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin during the dialogue with the private sector held in the framework of the General Assembly. The event, "Toward a Prosperity Agenda: Positioning the Americas for the New Wave of Opportunities," featured opening remarks by Panama's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Guevara Mann; Secretary General Ramdin; and the President of the Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, Aurelio Barría Pino.
"This is a structured platform designed to move from dialogue to impact, leveraging the convening power of the OAS and working with governments, the private sector, and social actors across the Americas," Secretary Ramdin said . "We seek to create a powerful and unique architecture for collaboration among governments, businesses, strategic international partners, investment banks, and commercial banks across the Americas."
For his part, Vice Minister Guevara Mann emphasized that competitiveness can no longer be measured solely through economic or logistical indicators. "The companies that will lead the future will not only be the most profitable; they will be those capable of generating shared value, those that understand that economic growth must translate into opportunities for communities, decent jobs for workers, environmental protection, and an effective contribution to national development," he said.
Meanwhile, OAS Executive Secretary for Integral Development Isabelle Valois stated that the hemispheric institution is ready to move forward alongside the public and private sectors to transform the Americas' prosperity agenda into concrete actions and real opportunities throughout the Hemisphere. "Neither governments nor businesses can succeed on their own," added Executive Secretary Valois.
The event included panels on energy and critical resources; artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and skills for the jobs of the future; and trade and investment facilitation. It also featured a dialogue dedicated to the Panama Canal as a strategic platform for trade, investment, and regional integration.
A total of 410 private-sector representatives registered to participate in the dialogue.
Reference: FNE-144908
