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Poverty, a source of global and national tensions: a call to action by the OAS

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Poverty, a source of global and national tensions: a call to action by the OAS

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Sir Ronald Saunders
Sir Ronald Saunders

Poverty is at the heart of social, economic and political tensions around the world. In the Americas, poverty is a stark reality that divides and destabilizes entire nations.

Despite progress in poverty eradication, the rich are still getting richer, while the gap between the rich and the poor remains very wide. This gap, both within and between countries, is exacerbated by the deepening climate change crisis, insufficient access to concessional finance, and unfavourable terms of trade, especially for developing countries.

The stark truth is that without decisive action, the world will become increasingly less secure, more chaotic and less conducive to peace.

Recently, the Ambassador of Colombia, Secretary General Luis Almagro, and I, the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda, presented to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) a Declaration on the Eradication of Poverty, a powerful call to confront the problem of poverty. The Declaration underscores a fundamental truth: poverty is not just a domestic problem, but a global crisis that exacerbates inequality, hinders development, and fuels conflict. Poverty is at the root of many of the challenges facing the world today, from mass migration to rising crime rates. Therefore, eradicating poverty must be a priority for all countries, especially in the Americas, the most unequal region on earth.

The figures are staggering. According to the World Bank, poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean rose to 30.3% in 2021 from 28.3% in 2019, a surge driven by global economic chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic, inflation and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Poverty disproportionately affects the most vulnerable – children, indigenous communities, people of African descent and women. In many cases, families must choose between feeding their children and purchasing essential medicines, a tragic reflection of the hardships faced by millions of people every day.

Poverty is more than a statistic; it is a powerful force undermining peace and security. Poverty drives people to despair, forcing them to take dangerous journeys in search of a better life, as we have seen with those who trek across the perilous Darien Gap and who suffer as desperate refugees at the southern border of the United States. Poverty fuels crime, violence, and instability, providing fertile ground for organized crime and drug trafficking, including youth gangs.

The ripple effects of poverty know no borders and can spread to neighbouring countries, destabilizing entire regions. Therefore, the fight against poverty must be inclusive and comprehensive, involving all sectors of society and requiring a coordinated response from the international community.

The declaration’s call for the OAS to take a unified stance in the fight against poverty is not only timely but also vital. It is an important opportunity for the OAS to demonstrate leadership and make a significant impact on the lives of millions of people. The adoption of this declaration will be a landmark achievement, demonstrating the Organization’s commitment to addressing the root causes of inequality and underdevelopment. By establishing a poverty task force, the OAS can mobilize the joint efforts of institutions across the Inter-American system, such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the Pan American Health Organization, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, to develop and implement strategies to address the multifaceted nature of poverty.

It was encouraging to see at the Permanent Council meeting that most countries noted the severity of the problem and recognized the urgent need to act. It was troubling, however, that representatives of some countries, despite widespread poverty within their own borders and the impact of global inequality, became entangled in questioning the relatively small cost of establishing a working group that would work with other institutions of the Inter-American System to advance the cause of poverty reduction outlined in the Declaration. Their hesitancy highlighted a troubling position that, if not addressed, could undermine the broader, more critical goal of promoting long-term development and stability across the region.

The declaration is not only about alleviating poverty, but also about changing the structures that cause poverty. It emphasizes the need to build inclusive institutions that empower the poor and provide them with the tools they need to escape the vicious cycle of poverty. It calls for a package of universal services that ensures access to housing, education, health care and social security for all. This approach recognizes that poverty is not just about insufficient income, but a multidimensional problem that requires comprehensive and targeted responses.

The responsibility to eradicate poverty lies not only with individual countries, but also with the international community. The OAS, as the most important and inclusive regional organization, has a moral and legal obligation to lead this fight. The OAS Charter clearly states that the purpose of the Organization is to “eradicate extreme poverty, which is an obstacle to the full democratic development of the peoples of the Western Hemisphere.” This mission is more important now than ever.

Caribbean and Central American countries, which are among the poorest in the Americas, should be at the forefront of promoting this declaration. These countries should fully recognize the devastating impact of poverty on their people and societies. Their leadership in this initiative will not only benefit their citizens, but will also set a powerful example for other countries in the region and around the world.

The adoption of the OAS Declaration on the Eradication of Poverty is a critical moment. It is an opportunity for the Organization to exercise its role as a force for good and to take the lead in the global fight against poverty. The OAS must seize this opportunity to live up to its Charter obligations and demonstrate its commitment not only to defending democracy and human rights, but also to promoting development and eradicating poverty. Now is the time to act, for the sake of our region, our world, and future generations.

The OAS, through its Permanent Council in cooperation with its Executive Secretariat for Integrated Development, still has the opportunity to act in the coming days and, by doing so, demonstrate that the Organization is relevant to the peoples of the Americas.

(The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organization of American States. The views expressed are his own. For replies and previous comments, please visit: www.sirronaldsanders.com)

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