Jun 2008 - OPEC

need to deal collectively with the crisis, the governments
of many Latin American nations began an intense
process of mobilization. On November 2, 1973, the
Lima Agreement was drafted. It was subsequently ratified
by 26 governments and now serves as OLADE’s
constitution.
Currently, OLADE’s members include: in South
America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador,
Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay and Venezuela;
in the Caribbean: Barbados, Cuba, Grenada, Haiti,
Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago;
in North America: Mexico; in Central America: Costa
Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and
Panama.
Restructuring
In November 2007, Dr Carlos Flórez Piedrahita of Colombia
was elected by the organization’s members (the energy
and petroleum ministers from its member countries) as
Executive Secretary of OLADE. Flórez, formerly a member
of OLADE’s nine-member Executive Council, previously
worked for the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Colombia.
With many years of experience in the private sector as
well, Floréz brings a range of experiences to the organization
that will serve it well.
In a recent interview with the OPEC Bulletin during a
visit to the OPEC Secretariat, Floréz explained that his mandate
currently includes the restructuring and strengthening
of the organization. A stronger more effective OLADE
will help foster the integration of the region’s energy policies,
he explained.
Among the first steps taken when he first assumed
office in January, was a thorough restructuring process
which had been long overdue. “We changed the structure
to be more effective,” Floréz said.
For some of the changes, revisions to the organization’s
statutes were required. OLADE now has a
Department of Planning and Projects, and a Department of
Integration. Both were created in order to provide specialized
support in these areas. In addition, OLADE’s annual
“We want to create the
conditions — and have
governments create the
conditions — necessary to
give markets the opportunity
to work.”
— Flórez Piedrahita
OPEC bulletin 6/08
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