Encounter of Two Worlds: opening remarks

Permanent Council · Special meeting
Organization of American States, Washington, D.C.

Ambassador Josué Fiallo, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic
As Chair of the Permanent Council

Full minutes of the meeting: CP/ACTA 2344/21

Webcast of the full meeting: Spanish audio 1 2

Translated from the Spanish original, which is the authoritative text.

Let us now turn to the subject that brings us together today. I refer to the "Encounter of Two Worlds," the title of this traditional special meeting, which recalls a crucial moment in history when Europeans and the original peoples of the Americas came into contact.

It is no secret that the later interaction between the peoples of both worlds proved complex, above all for the original peoples of this Hemisphere, bringing with it countless events and great challenges. Even so, the fusion of both peoples and cultures, shaped over centuries of interaction, has given the Americas a dynamism and a character that are unique in the world.

May this special meeting of the Permanent Council serve to reflect on our common past and remind us that, despite our differences, mutual respect and international cooperation are the foundations of a constructive and prosperous future for all, especially now, in the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reminded us of the importance of unity and solidarity among our governments and peoples in order to overcome the challenges ahead.

Dear colleagues, before proceeding, I wish to place on record our gratitude to the permanent observers and, of course, to the Government of Spain for its continued support for the principles that guide our Organization.