Washington -- July 10, 2007 - Her Excellency Deborah-Mae Lovell, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the Organization of American States (OAS), today assumed the Chairmanship of the OAS Permanent Council. The Permanent Council is the highest decision making organ of the organization and its chairmanship is rotated every three months.

In the ceremonial handing over of the Permanent Council gavel, His Excellency Jorge Valero, Permanent Representative of Venezuela, expressed his personal satisfaction that his chairmanship was being followed by that of Antigua and Barbuda, given the close and friendly relations which exists between Antigua and Barbuda and Venezuela.

In her first remarks as Chair of the Council, Ambassador Lovell noted that the hallmark of her tenure would be a focus on Youth and Youth Empowerment, and a continuation of the discussions begun in March of this year, in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

In explaining her decision to focus on youth and youth empowerment, Ambassador Lovell noted that, “the youth make up 65% of the populations of Latin America and the Caribbean, and yet, they are the most under-served constituency of our organization.” “Our future is 100% reliant on our youth, it is therefore imperative that we give voice to their concerns and to their vision,” Ambassador Lovell concluded.

This morning's swearing in ceremony was attended by the Secretary General of the OAS José Miguel Insulza, Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin, and several Permanent Representatives of the OAS Member States.

The first official meeting of the Permanent Council will be held on Thursday 12th July, 2007 during which Ambassador Lovell will make her maiden speech.

Source: ab.gov.ag