PARAMARIBO, Suriname – Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation (Bibis), Albert Ramdin on Monday formally handed over his portfolio to the Defence Minister, Krishna Mathoera, as he prepares to be sworn in as the new Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) on May 30.
Ramdin has transferred management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation to his colleague from Defence, Krishna Mathoera.President Chandrikapersad Santokhi had granted Ramdin’s request to step down as minister over the weekend as Surinamese voters went to the polls to elect a new government.
Ramdin was elected by acclamation on March 10 as OAS Secretary-General after being nominated by Suriname and receiving broad support from the member states.
Ramdin, who served as OAS assistant secretary general, will serve in his new position from 2025 to 2030.
Ramdin is due to leave here on Tuesday for Washington where the OAS headquarters are located. A special session of the Permanent Council will take place on May 30, at which Ramdin will officially and ceremonially assume his new position.
His predecessor, former Uruguayan Foreign Minister Luis Almagro, held the position for two terms. His mandate ended on Sunday.
