Antigua and Barbuda Wednesday reaffirmed its ‘unwavering commitment’ to the Organization of American States (OAS) calling also for collective action on Haiti, institutional reform, and the defence of multilateralism.
Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador Sir Ronald Sanders told delegates attending the 56th Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly that too often, unilateral action is chosen over collective solutions.
‘The OAS is the only institution where almost all independent states of this Hemisphere meet regularly for dialogue, cooperation, and collective action and there is no substitute for it.
For this reason, Antigua and Barbuda reaffirms, without reservation, its commitment to this Organization and to the Charter principles that guide it.’
He said that the Caribbean island would continue to support the OAS in practice by applying its rules consistently, safeguarding its independence, and ensuring that it serves all member states fairly.
Sir Ronald said that the independence of the Secretary Genera, Albert Ramdin, and of the international civil service is a fundamental principle of the Charter, adding ‘it is essential to the institutional balance of the Organization and to its ability to serve all member states impartially.
‘However, it must be exercised through established mechanisms and in accordance with the Charter, the General Standards, and the collective decisions of member states,’ the Antigua and Barbuda dipomat said, urging member states to addres the financial situation facing the hemispheric body.
‘The Regular Fund is under significant strain. Its reserves, intended to protect against unforeseen shocks, have been depleted. To maintain basic operations, the General Secretariat has relied on limited internal cash resources,’ he said, adding that the approved budget ceiling for 2027 is US$95.6 million.
‘In real terms, this is lower than the Organization’s budget 15 years ago. The proposed 2027 Programme-Budget increases funding by approximately US$2.5 million over 2026, largely to address inflation and cost-of-living adjustments. It does not address the US$16.7 million in unfunded and underfunded needs identified by the General Secretariat.’
He said nor does it restore the Reserve Sub fund or resolve the gap between mandates and available resources.
Sir Ronald said that Antigua and Barbuda supported this budget to ensure continuity of operations, not because it resolves the OAS’s structural financial challenges.
‘We respect the collective process that produced it and recognise the fiscal constraints faced by many member states. Nonetheless, this remains a budget designed to sustain operations, not to fully deliver on agreed mandates. This is not only a technical issue. It is a political one that requires political decisions.’
Sir Ronald said that member states that value the OAS must be prepared to sustain it, warning that ‘chronic underfunding has real consequences.
‘It affects anti-corruption and security programmes, climate resilience initiatives, technical cooperation, human rights mechanisms, and support for countries facing exceptional challenges.’
On the issue of Haiti, where efforts are being made to hold elections in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country since it was last held in 2016, Sir Ronald said that Haitians continue to face ‘unacceptable levels of violence and insecurity.
‘Women and girls, in particular, remain at grave risk. The Haitian authorities have requested international security assistance. Antigua and Barbuda therefore supports the United Nations-authorised Gang Suppression Force and all efforts to restore public order.’
But Sir Ronald said that the international community, particularly countries of the Americas, must also act in a coordinated manner against transnational criminal networks operating in Haiti.
‘We must disrupt drug trafficking, illicit financial flows, and money laundering. We must identify, sanction, and prosecute those who finance and support gang activity, wherever they operate – inside or outside of Haiti.
‘Greater attention must be given to maritime surveillance, coastal monitoring, and border security. The flow of weapons, ammunition, drugs, and criminal actors into and out of Haiti must be disrupted.’
He said that stronger controls are essential to weaken the gangs, prevent Haiti from being used as a transit point, and deny criminal networks a critical source of revenue.
‘We must act together to restore security and democratic governance, in the interest of Haiti and of the Hemisphere as a whole,’ he added.