WASHINGTON, D.C., April 4, 2024 – On assuming the chairmanship of the Organization of American States (OAS) Permanent Council yesterday, His Excellency Chet D. Neymour, Bahamas Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the OAS, said that over the next three months, “the Chair commits to facilitating requisite accountability to the Permanent Council from the Committees and Working Groups that carry out work under the aegis and within the framework of the Permanent Council.”
“By way of full disclosure, the Chair has requested and has benefited from briefings regarding critical aspects of the Organization and its activities,” Mr. Neymour said. “Notably, to complete the circuit, I will be meeting on April 5th with every chair of every Committee and Working Group that is currently operating under the aegis and mandate of this Council to discuss coordination of our work over this quarter and as we make preparations for the upcoming General Assembly. Accordingly, this Council will be duly informed of the approach that will be taken to coordinate efforts over this quarter.”
Noting that Article 36 of the Rules of Procedure establishes that regular meetings shall be held on every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, Mr. Neymour said a tentative schedule of regular meetings, special meetings, Protocolaries etc., is included in the Work Plan.
“Per Article 46 of the Rules, interventions are prescribed to be 5 minutes by each Member State and/or Permanent Observer State,” Mr. Neymour noted. “Please be assured that discretion and judgment will be used in ensuring that the timeline is honored by all.”
Referring to Agenda items and order of Business, Mr. Neymour said, “Article 42 of the Rules conveys that Agenda items and related documents shall be furnished to the Secretariat of the Permanent Council 72 hours in advance of Council Meetings and circulated to allow adequate consideration by Member States.”
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Neymour told his colleagues that he was “grateful for your favorable receipt of the message which was conveyed by the Honorable Frederick A. Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”
In his video remarks, Mr. Mitchell reiterated The Bahamas’ commitment to collaboration and active engagement with Member States, and the purposes of the OAS.
Mr. Neymour noted that In his video Foreign Minister Mitchell “has outlined the key thematic areas of focus for The Bahamas’ Chairmanship of the Council and I would only augment his presentation by reaffirming that The Bahamas looks forward to collaborating with colleague Member States on advancing OAS engagement and taking tangible measures for the fulfillment of shared priorities of ;climate action, the situation in Haiti and reform of the international financial architecture.”
“Through a consultative process, these initiatives shall be developed further and illuminated where necessary with concept and information notes, as deemed appropriae,” Mr. Neymour added.
His Excellency Chet D. Neymour, Bahamas Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the OAS, is pictured with His Excellency Wendall Jones, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States, after assuming the Chairmanship of the OAS Permanent Council on Wednesday, April 3
