Building resilient, inclusive economies in the Americas” has been selected as the theme for the 55th Regular Session of the Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly, scheduled to take place in Antigua and Barbuda from June 25 to 27, 2025.
The theme was presented by Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the OAS, during a Permanent Council meeting on Wednesday as part of a draft resolution confirming the Caribbean nation will host the hemispheric body’s highest governing assembly.
“We believe this theme resonates with urgent regional concerns, emphasizing the need for resilience and inclusivity as we address the challenges confronting each Member State, big and small, and all of them collectively,” Sir Ronald told diplomats representing the 28 member countries present at the Simon Bolivar Hall.
He further explained that the theme was deliberately chosen to reflect shared regional priorities, with the term “building” affirming commitment to sustained action and the inclusive framework allowing individual nations to highlight specific issues within a collective structure.
“By using the term building in the theme, we affirm our commitment to sustained and ongoing action, and the inclusive scope of the theme ensures that all Member States can highlight their specific priorities within a broader collective framework, underscoring our shared dedication to improving the lives of all the citizens of the Americas,” he said.
The OAS General Assembly, which brings together foreign ministers and high-level delegations from across the hemisphere, will be one of the most significant international meetings hosted in Antigua and Barbuda in recent years, requiring substantial logistical coordination.
Sanders noted that Assistant Secretary General Nesta Mendez had led two technical teams from the OAS General Secretariat to assess the country’s readiness, confirming that conference facilities and accommodation meet international standards for such a high-level gathering.
The diplomat expressed gratitude for the unanimous support from OAS member states for Antigua and Barbuda’s offer to host the Assembly, adding that the country looked forward to providing a conducive environment for productive discussions.
“We hope that the warmth of our Caribbean atmosphere will foster harmonious discussions as well as fruitful and positive outcomes for our hemisphere. On a lighter note, we trust that a drink of Antigua rum, or maybe two or three drinks, may contribute to facilitating convivial discussions,” Ambassador Sanders said.
The meeting concluded with the formal signing of an agreement between the Antigua and Barbuda government and the OAS General Secretariat regarding hosting arrangements for the upcoming Assembly.
