State Secretary Žbogar at OAS General Assembly session on the importance of dialogue between the two regions

7. 10. 2022

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

State Secretary Samuel Žbogar attended the 52nd General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Lima, Peru, from 5 to 7 October 2022. Foreign Ministers from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, as well as permanent observers, held discussions under the title "Together against inequality and discrimination" to reduce social and other inequalities that have been exacerbated in the countries of the Western Hemisphere by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Secretary Žbogar addressing the participants of the Special Dialogue between the OAS member states, the Secretary General and the permanent observers | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje zadeve

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State Secretary Žbogar addressed the participants of the Special Dialogue held between OAS member states, the Secretary General and the permanent observers. He stressed the importance of dialogue between the two regions, including through the exchange of experiences and best practices, and went on to outline Slovenia's initiatives and activities to strengthen cooperation, including the annual “Latin American and Caribbean Days” international conference. The conference deals with topics of relevance to both regions, such as climate change and water issues, circular economy, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and social cohesion. The State Secretary advocated the strengthening of multilateral partnerships and went on to present Slovenia’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2024–2025 term.

Slovenia has held the status of permanent observer to the OAS since 2003 and takes part in its activities, both at the OAS headquarters in Washington and in the member states. Through the participation in the OAS, Slovenia has gained a more detailed insight into the situation in the Western Hemisphere, and a better understanding of what is happening in individual countries. This complements Slovenia's efforts at the bilateral level and strengthens its partnerships with countries in North and Latin America and the Caribbean.

The State Secretary also held political consultations with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Peru, Ana Cecilia Gervasi, in Lima. They reviewed bilateral relations and discussed opportunities to further strengthen cooperation on the economy, politics, science and humanitarian demining. Deputy Minister Gervasi outlined Peru’s priorities for its presidency of the Pacific Alliance in 2023, and the two dignitaries went on to exchange views on security issues, including the war in Ukraine and its global implications.

On the margins of the General Assembly, State Secretary Žbogar held a number of bilateral talks with foreign ministers of OAS member states on the current situation in the region. He invited them to attend the next Latin American and Caribbean Days conference in Slovenia, which will focus on the Caribbean region. He also presented the Slovenian candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2024–25 term, with which Slovenia hopes to contribute to efforts to preserve international peace.