thebahamasweekly.com - OAS Assistant Secretary General Receives Award in Recognition of his Commitment to Organization’s Values

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Organization of American States (OAS)
OAS Assistant Secretary General Receives Award in Recognition of his Commitment to Organization’s Values
By OAS
Mar 15, 2017 - 1:22:06 PM

The Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Nestor Mendez, today received the Medal of Honor for Merit presented by the Sociedad de Estudios Internacionales (SEI) of Panama, in recognition of his work to promote democracy, strengthening human rights, and fostering peace and security and integral development.

This high honor was presented to Ambassador Mendez during a ceremony in Panama City, Panama, within the framework of the First International Conference on Global Threats and their Regional Impact, organized by the SEI. During the same event, attended by diplomats, security experts and representatives from international and regional organizations, the Vice President of Panama and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado, was also recognized with the award.

Upon accepting the Medal of Honor for Merit, by which the Sociedad de Estudios Internacionales recognizes prestigious personalities from across the globe, including King Don Juan Carlos I of Spain, Assistant Secretary General Mendez said that the award “is very meaningful, as we are working at all levels to revitalize the OAS and create a more inclusive Organization that has a positive impact in the lives of all citizens and peoples of the Americas.”

During his remarks at the First International Conference on Global Threats and their Regional Impact, the Assistant Secretary General highlighted the security-related challenges that member states face, focusing on the Organization’s efforts in areas such as cybersecurity; the fight against transnational crime; and the global illicit drug problem.

Mendez noted that “in view of the increasingly complex and transnational threats, the principle of common and shared responsibility is essential to strengthen hemispheric and regional cooperation that is so indispensable to effectively confront these phenomena.”

As part of his official two-day visit to the Central American nation, Ambassador Mendez will hold a meeting at the National Assembly of Panama, tomorrow Friday, March 17, with the participation of the Assembly leadership, committee chairs, and caucus members.