Ambassador Dr. Neil Parsan appointed Secretary for Integral Development at OAS
New leadership has arrived at the Organization of American States (OAS)’ arm for Integral Development Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC – Ambassador Dr. Neil Parsan was appointed Secretary for Integral Development of the Organization of American States (OAS) by Secretary General Luis Almagro, a role that was confirmed by thirty four (34) countries through the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI).
Ambassador Dr. Neil Parsan was a former Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the United States of America and to the OAS (2011-2015), Executive Secretary Parsan has a long and rich experience in the development field and is well versed in the workings of the Organization and the region. Dr. Parsan brings vast experience in the Western Hemispheric affairs in the areas of business, public and citizen security, governance and hemispheric development.
Main Ministerial engagements for the new Secretary for Integral Development will include Energy, Planning, Economy, Sustainable Development, Culture and Tourism, Labor and Employment.
Ambassador Dr. Neil Parsan’s new leadership coincides and will be guided by two distinct and important processes, that of modernizing and restructuring the Organization, led by Secretary General Almagro and approved unanimously by member states during its last General Assembly; and the approval of the new Sustainable Development Goals in September, 2015.
These simultaneous processes place the Organization in a unique position to capitalize on its expected greater efficiency and improved capacity to deliver services to member states, as it supports the region in joining the new global effort to move towards a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future.
Integral development, as one of the four core pillars of the OAS, goes to the heart of organization’s multilateral and collaborative nature. Through the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI), the OAS works with member states by supporting regional policy dialogue and technical cooperation initiatives on key issues, to help achieve inclusive and sustainable economic, social and human development.
To advance its development agenda, the Organization relies on strong partnerships, not only among its member states, but also with other development agencies, the private sector, civil society and academia. During Ambassador Parsan’s tenure, partnerships, coupled with meaningful policy dialogue and cooperation will continue to be the driving force behind the work of the Organization in the area of integral development.
About Secretary Parsan
His Excellency Dr. Neil Parsan assumed the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America, non-resident Ambassador to the United Mexican States, and Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the Organization of American States (OAS) in February, 2011.
Dr. Parsan earned his Undergraduate Medical Degree at the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Medical Sciences, where he graduated with Distinction. After spending eight (8) years as a Lecturer/Tutor at the Faculty of Medical Sciences (UWI), he pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA), where he graduated as Top Student with Distinction. He also holds a Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) Degree, a CACM from Harvard University School of Public Health, and a World Trade Professional Degree from ITM Worldwide in Sweden. Dr. Parsan was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate for education, culture, and humanitarian work from the American University, registered with Cambridge University (UK) and the Congress of Mexico.
Ambassador Parsan is presently the Chairman of the Global Gas Council; Chair of the Honorary Council for the Global Alliance for Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma, and Anaesthetic Care (The G4 Alliance); and a Director of the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) and the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business (GSB) Alumni Board. He previously served as Chair of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) in the latter half of 2014, Vice Chair of the Permanent Council in 2014, and Chair of the Permanent Council from April to June, 2015. He was also Chair of the OAS’ Retirement and Pension Committee.
Dr. Parsan has also been given the following recognition: Conferred the title of Colonel Honorable Neil Parsan by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, U.S.A.; Award for Leadership by the City of Philadelphia and the Africa and Caribbean Business Council; Proclamation of Ambassador Dr. Neil Parsan Day in the Cities of Boston, Hartford, Doral, and Miami; Statesman Award from Memorial of Congressman Payne; and the key to the City of Broward County, Florida.
His Excellency is an Honorary Member of the International Committee on HIV/AIDS on Capitol Hill, the Women’s Foreign Policy Group, the American Association of People with Disabilities, and the Americas Society. Ambassador Parsan is also on the Board of Advisors of the National Student Leadership Foundation of the USA.
He was a Director at several Companies and has consulted on several special projects locally and internationally.