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OEA/Ser.G

CP/SA.2107/17

29 March 2017

Original: Spanish

Record of the special meeting held on March 29, 2017

CP/ACTA 2107/17[1]/

The special meeting was chaired by Ambassador Leonidas Rosa Bautista, Vice Chair of the Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of Honduras to the OAS.

The statutory quorum was established with the presence of representatives of Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

The audio recording of the meeting can be found at the following link:

The Chair of the Permanent Council called to order the special meeting of the Council convened to mark International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, at the request of the Permanent Missions of The Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela by note CP/INF.7623/17.

The Vice Chair of the Permanent Council offered his condolences to the Government and people of Saint Lucia on the recent passing of the Nobel laureate Derek Walcott, on March 17, 2017. The Permanent Council held a minute’s silence in his memory.

The Chair of the Permanent Council then declared the order of business, document CP/OD-2107/17, adopted.

  1. Opening and welcoming remarks: Vice Chair of the Permanent Council, His Excellency Leonidas Rosa Bautista, Permanent Representative of Honduras to the OAS

Ambassador Rosa made reference to the context and origin of the marking of International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. He noted that people of African descent have made immense contributions to the Hemisphere. He extended a cordial welcome to the speakers who took part in the special meeting.

  1. Remarks of the Secretary for Access to Rights and Equity, Ms. Ideli Salvatti

The address of the Secretary for Access to Rights and Equity was published as document CP/INF.7659/17.

  1. Speakers

The presentation by the Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the Organization of American States and the United Nations, Ambassador Elliston Rahming, was published as document CP/INF.7660/17.

Mr. John W. Franklin, Director of Partnerships and International Programs of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), referred to the museum’s origins, goals and features. He explained to the delegations certain characteristics of the African Diaspora based on the research of Joseph E. Harris.

Jesús Alberto García, Consul General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in New Orleans and a researcher into Africa and its diaspora, referred to certain historical elements that provide an explanation of the slave trade and slavery. He also mentioned a number of the historical contributions to humanity made by men and women of African descent. He presented a series of proposals in relation to the Plan of Action for the Decade for People of African Descent in the Americas.

The Permanent Mission of Honduras paid tribute and homage to Celeo Álvarez Casildo. He presented a video, which can be viewed at the following link:

  1. Remarks by member states

The following delegations referred to the legacy and contributions of persons of African descent to the Americas and thanked the Permanent Council for convening the special meeting: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

  1. Closing remarks of the Chief of Staff of the Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, Ambassador La Celia A. Prince

The closing remarks delivered by the Chief of Staff of the Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, Ambassador La Celia Prince, were published as document CP/INF. 7661/17.

The Permanent Council decided to take note of the presentations given by the speakers and delegations. The Chair announced that the presentations and comments made during the special meeting would be included in the relevant minutes.

There being no further business, the Chair of the Council adjourned the meeting at 2:10 p.m.

[1].The delegations’ statements and comments will be provided in the minutes of the meeting, CP/ACTA 2107/17.