Department of Sustainable Development

Mark Lambrides

Director

The Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) supports OAS Member States in efforts to accelerate the transition to sustainability through policy and technical assistance; capacity building; enabling improved practices that lead to tangible environmental,

social, and economic gains that foster sustainable development and Inter-American cooperation. DSD further promotes policies and strategies grounded on empirical data to enable long-term hemispheric security, democracy, and economic prosperity while prompting inclusiveness and integration.

The most recent policy mandate for the DSD emanated from the Fourth Inter-American Meeting on Sustainable Development (Nassau, The Bahamas) in 2023.

Consistent with the ministerial mandates, the DSD is organized to support the execution of projects in member states according to four primary program areas: (1) Addressing Climate Change in the Americas, (2) Integrated Water Resources Management, (3) Disaster Risk Management and Building Resilience, and (4) Accelerating clean, sustainable, renewable, and just energy transitions in the Americas.

The Department of Sustainable Development is under the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development.

@OAS_DEVELOPMENT

[email protected]

More Results

Highlighted Results

Only forum that gathers all the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to address issues relating to energy and climate change.

CIC coordinates SAP implementation among riparian countries' agencies, La Plata Basin mechanisms, and international institutions.

Improvement of water security in the Basin and of the capacity of the countries to adapt to the impacts of climatic extremes.

Established 10 Citizen Consultative Committees (CCCs) to increase citizen participation and approved 10 Municipal Development Plans (PCDs) for Haiti

Benefited 50,000 Haitian children through new WASH facilities and educational services.

Reached thousands through WASH awareness campaigns during the pandemic.

Rehabilitated WASH infrastructure in dozens of schools and communities.

Created and strengthened a Water Resilience Unit at Haiti's State University in Limonade.

Enhanced technical skills in the La Plata Basin on data management, satellite analysis, and hydroclimatic modeling for better IWRM

GEF CReW+ implements small-scale water and wastewater solutions in the Caribbean using an integrated approach and sustainable financing.

Structure

Water Section

The Water Section implements the Water Program of the Americas, supporting Member States through water diplomacy, innovation, financing, and governance to strengthen the management, conservation, and sustainable use of water resources, including freshwater and oceans. Promotes integrated water resources management (IWRM) to enhance governance and sustainable development in transboundary basins and critical ecosystems across the region.

Climate Change Section

The climate section supports Member States in climate mitigation and adaptation by facilitating access to finance, project development, and technical assistance. Advances the proposal for a Hemispheric Climate Finance Center and promotes sustainable consumption and production through circular economy approaches. These efforts aim to boost resilience and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.

Disaster Risk Management  Section

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) section, leveraging its technical expertise, aids Member States in adapting to and managing vulnerabilities to natural disasters, which are increasing in frequency and severity. DRM coordinates multilateral efforts in disaster prevention, mitigation, and response, using various tools and resources to ensure effective management and swift cross-border responses to emergencies.

Energy Section

Since 2009, the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) has promoted dialogue, policy alignment, and capacity building to support the energy transition in the region. In 2024, it continued these efforts through the Inter-American Climate Change Action Plan 2023–2030, emphasizing multilateral coordination, sustainable energy policies, and strengthened technical capacity among Member States.

More Projects

Highlighted Projects, Programs and Initiatives