Albert Ramdin
Surinamese diplomat (born 1958)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Albert Ramchand Ramdin (born 27 February 1958)[1] is a Surinamese diplomat serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Santokhi cabinet since 16 July 2020.[2] He is a member of the Progressive Reform Party (VHP). He was a diplomat until 2015 and was, among other roles, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS).[3] In March 2025 he was elected to serve as the Secretary General of the OAS for the 2025–2030 term.
Albert Ramdin | |
|---|---|
Ramdin in 2024 | |
| 11th Secretary General of the Organization of American States | |
| Assumed office 30 May 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Luis Almagro |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation | |
| In office 16 July 2020 – 29 May 2025 | |
| President | Chan Santokhi |
| Preceded by | Yldiz Pollack-Beighle |
| Succeeded by | Krishna Mathoera |
| Assistant Secretary General of Organization of American States | |
| In office 19 July 2005 – July 2015 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Albert Ramchand Ramdin 27 February 1958 |
| Party | Progressive Reform Party (VHP) |
| Occupation | Minister, diplomat, politician |
Early life and education
Ramdin was born in Suriname District and went to secondary school in the capital city of Paramaribo.[4] After completing secondary school, he left for the Netherlands where he studied social geography at the University of Amsterdam and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.[5]
Career
In 1991, Ramdin became the Director of the HIMOS Development Agency in Oegstgeest, Netherlands.[6] In 1997, Ramdin was appointed the Permanent Representative of the Organization of American States (OAS) for Suriname.[7]
In 1999, he became assistant general for external relations at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).[5] In 2001, Ramdin became adviser to the Secretary General of the OAS.[6] On 7 June 2005, Ramdin was elected Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States, and took office on 19 July 2005.[8]
In July 2015, he returned to Suriname where he worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[9] In August 2015, approximately a month after his return to Suriname, he was appointed by Minister Niermala Badrising as Ambassador at Large.[10] In May 2016, Ramdin started working for the American gold mining company Newmont.[11]
Minister of Foreign Affairs
On 16 July 2020, Ramdin became Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation in the cabinet of President Chan Santokhi.[2] In August 2020, he was the first Surinamese member of government in ten years to pay an official visit to the Netherlands.[12]
Secretary General of the Organization of American States
In early 2025, Ramdin presented his candidacy to succeed Luis Almagro as OAS Secretary General.[13][14] He was elected to a five-year term on 10 March 2025.[15][16]