Sir Ronald Sanders, the ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the Organization of American States (OAS), has achieved an unprecedented feat by being appointed as the President of the OAS Permanent Council for the third time, creating history.

This is a significant milestone for Antigua and Barbuda since the OAS expanded its membership more than six decades ago.

Sir Ronald will take up the office on October 1st. He has already demonstrated his leadership and commitment by serving as President on various critical occasions, including five sessions in the past two weeks alone.

As President in 2016 and 2021, Sir Ronald led the Council’s response to political crises in Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

He has been a pivotal figure within the Organization and has played an instrumental role in drafting, negotiating, and endorsing resolutions, declarations, and statements that resonate with countries throughout the hemisphere.

Ambassador Sanders has been a strong advocate for significant issues concerning the Caribbean, including Climate Change, racism, discrimination, reparations for slavery, women’s rights, and the urgent call for social justice and equity.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Minister, E. Paul Chet Greene, expressed the government’s profound pleasure in recognizing Sir Ronald’s historic accomplishment.

Minister Greene stated, “Ambassador Sanders’ record-setting leadership at the OAS, amidst a plethora of challenges facing the nations of our Hemisphere, unequivocally demonstrates that a country’s size is no barrier to its ability to lead effectively, provided it is armed with knowledge and experience.”

Looking ahead, Ambassador Sanders has disclosed that his third presidency’s agenda would prominently feature critical issues like climate change; guns, gangs, and violence; and access to concessional financing for development.

He aims to improve the inter-American system and anticipates addressing the ongoing situations in Haiti, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.