Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS), has assumed the Chairmanship of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) for a six-month term running through December 31, 2026.
According to Antigua News Room, Sir Ronald — a distinguished diplomat and longstanding advocate for sustainable development, regional integration, and multilateral cooperation — brings an extensive record of OAS leadership to the role. He has previously served as President of the OAS Permanent Council on three separate occasions, a distinction that has equipped him with unique experience in guiding decision-making among member states.
As Chair of CIDI, Sir Ronald will preside over the Council's deliberations and direct its efforts to advance integral development across the Americas. His stated priorities for the term include strengthened cooperation in education, science and technology, tourism, energy resilience, port security, and maritime infrastructure — areas he considers critical to building sustainable and inclusive development that Latin America and the Caribbean urgently need.
The Inter-American Council for Integral Development was established under the Protocol of Managua, which entered into force on January 29, 1996. Its mandate is to strengthen cooperation among OAS member states and coordinate efforts in support of integral development throughout the Hemisphere. Integral development stands as one of the four foundational pillars of the OAS, alongside democracy, human rights, and multidimensional security — pillars considered mutually reinforcing within the Organisation's broader mission to promote peace, prosperity, and cooperation.
Sir Ronald's assumption of the Chairmanship coincides with a significant milestone: CIDI's 30th anniversary. His leadership arrives at a pivotal moment, as member states continue to navigate evolving social, economic, environmental, and technological challenges and the demand for inclusive, resilient development solutions across the region grows ever more pressing.
