PARAMARIBO–Ambassador Robby Ramlakhan, acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been chosen as the new secretary general of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO). 

It is the first time that a Surinamer will fulfill such a high function within this organization. Ramlakhan was chosen during the 16th meeting of the ACTO held recently in Bolivia.  Ambassador Ramlakhan succeeds Ambassador Alejandro Gordillo in this function and will start his work on July 2.  He will be stationed in Brazilia.

Ramlakhan is a veteran in Suriname’s foreign service. He thanked the Suriname government for nominating him and the member nations for supporting his candidacy.  He pointed out that Suriname with its 90% of tropical forest is now in a position to participate at the highest level in the development of the Amazon area.

The Amazon Cooperation Treaty (ACT) was signed on 3 July 1978 by aimed at promoting joint actions towards the harmonious development of the Amazon Basin.

The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization was established by Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela in 1995, to strengthen and implement the shared commitment with environmental preservation and the rational use of the Amazonian natural resources. The Permanent Secretariat was established in Brasilia in December 2002.

ACTO is convinced that the Amazon region, for having one of the richest natural heritages in the world, plays a strategic role in inducing the upcoming development of the Amazon countries and region. It is a heritage that should be preserved but, above all, should be promoted pursuant to the principles of sustainable development.

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