Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI)

Executive Secretariat for Integral Development

Kim Hurtault-Osborne

Executive Secretary for Integral Development

As the OAS's dedicated arm for development, the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) works with OAS member states to advance inclusive and sustainable economic, social, and human development across the Americas. Through regional policy dialogue and the implementation of mandates, SEDI provides technical assistance and fosters development cooperation initiatives that strengthen the institutional and human capacities in key areas such as education, employment, competitiveness, innovation, natural resource management, and climate action.

In an era of unprecedented global change, SEDI’s remains firmly committed to regional climate action, implementing programs that enhance the sustainability of member states, and address both urgent and long-term needs.

Under the OAS 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, SEDI is entrusted with advancing the following objectives under the Development Pillar:

Promoting inclusive and competitive economies
Strengthening the implementation of sustainable development goals
Enhancing education and human development across the Americas
Promoting decent, dignified, and productive work for all
Fostering development cooperation and establishing strategic partnerships
Developing competitive, secure, sustainable, and inclusive ports

SEDI also serves as the Technical Secretariat of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI)

For more details on SEDI's recent work see: 2024 Annual Report.

Structure

Technical Cooperation Section (TCS)

The Technical Cooperation Section in SEDI promotes partnerships and development aid across the Americas via the Development Cooperation Fund (DCF), CooperaNet, and multi-sectoral partnerships.

Department of Economic Development (DED)

The Department of Economic Development promotes growth, competitiveness, and innovation in Member States through programs aiding economic actors in domestic and international markets. Focused on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, it fosters job creation, poverty reduction, and social inclusion. DED also supports political dialogue, experience exchange, strategic alliances, and the development of commercial opportunities.

Department of Human Development, Education and Employment (DHDEE)

The Department of Human Development, Education and Employment (DHDEE) offers programs that provide scholarships and loans for academic studies and professional development; innovative online training opportunities; training and knowledge sharing opportunities for teachers and for education policymakers; support for institutional capacity strengthening and horizontal cooperation for education and employment. DHDEE also promotes policy dialogue on education and labor among all OAS Member States.

Department of Sustainable Development (DSD)

The Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) supports OAS Member States in accelerating the transition to sustainability through policy, technical assistance, and capacity building. DSD fosters environmental, social, and economic gains that promote sustainable development and Inter-American cooperation. It also promotes policies grounded in empirical data to enable long-term hemispheric security, democracy, and economic prosperity, while encouraging inclusiveness and integration.

Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP)

The Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP) is the only permanent forum that brings together the National Port Authorities of the OAS’s 34 Member Countries and leaders of the maritime-port industry to promote the development of a secure, competitive, sustainable, and inclusive sector.

More Projects

Highlighted Projects, Programs and Initiatives

Image of the 19th Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor, with Ministers seating around the U-shaped table

Inter-American Conference of the Ministries of Labor (IACML)

The Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML) of the Organization of the American States (OAS) is the main forum for discussion and decision-making on labor matters in the hemisphere

Development Cooperation Fund (DCF)

The OAS Development Cooperation Fund is a non-reimbursable technical cooperation instrument that promotes initiatives that respond to the specific needs of member states

Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas

Shared leadership in the implementation of energy and climate change initiatives and the exchange of experiences across the Americas.

Hands holding pieces of a puzzle ready to put together

CooperaNet

An online platform that offers a consolidated space to optimize partnerships, build alliances and networks, leverage development assistance, and provide more demand-driven technical cooperation.

Knowledge Transfer for Strengthening Technical Capabilities in the Port Sector of the Americas

The Inter-American Committee on Ports Secretariat provides a platform for dialogue on knowledge-sharing and creation of technical capacities on ports.

The delegation of workers makes an intervention during the ILIX OAS General Assembly

Coordination with Workers and Employers within the framework of the OAS

The OAS enables the participation of workers and employers in the processes of the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML), General Assembly and Summit of the Americas

Rowe Fund- Financial aid for studies in the United States

The OAS Rowe Fund program helps finance the costs of studies at U.S. universities for international students from Latin American and the Caribbean by granting interest-free loans of up-to US$15,000.

Prospecta Americas

Regional technology foresight network on top transformative technologies that aims to identify, map and study trends and technological developments in sectors of critical importance for the Americas.

Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL)

Mechanism for cooperation among the Ministries of Labor of the Americas

OAS Youth Academy on Transformative Technologies for the Americas

A partnerships initiative to train and certify youth of the Americas with the skills, abilities and credentials they need to access the jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities of the digital economy.

Group of leaders from the public, private and academic sectors.

Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE)

The Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) is the premier economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurial network of the Americas.

A woman of African descent smiles as she interacts with a computer. In the background, there are four people interacting, some using technological devices, others talking to each other. The people range in age from 25 to 50 years old.

Educational Portal of the Americas

Virtual platform that connects citizens with educational opportunities to develop their professional skills, promoting scholarships, training courses, academic events, etc.

Young artist with framed art in the background

Small Business Development Centers Program (SBDC)

The SBDC program envisions a sustainable small business assistance network across Latin America and the Caribbean, based on the U.S. model, providing entrepreneurs with community-level resources and s

A mentor provides advice to a group of young professionals in a co-work setting.

HUB of Technology Transfer and Commercialization for the Americas

The HUB is a 2-week advanced training program and professional network that seeks to transfer products, services, scientific and technological solutions and innovations from idea to market.

Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas

A network of indigenous leaders and tourism industry organizations created to drive collaborative action in support of sustainable development and growth in indigenous communities.

Inter-American Dialogue of MSMEs Authorities

The Inter-American Dialogue of High-Level MSME Authorities provides a forum for the exchange of experiences and identification of cooperation initiatives to improve the competitiveness and innovation

Group of approximately 10 men and 8 women looking ahead and holding a publication.

Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC)

Regional initiative that promotes policy dialogue and collaboration opportunities on competitiveness, economic development, innovation, and technology.

Scholarship and Training Programs of the OAS

The program offers scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate academic studies and professional development.

Foreign Trade Information System (SICE)

Foreign Trade Information System Providing Trade, providing Trade Information to Governments and SMEs

Hemispheric Program for the development of skills in contexts of change

Part of Working Group 2 on Intersectoral Agenda within the framework of the CIE.

Hemispheric Program for the Recovery, Repair, and Reactivation of the Education Sector (3R4E)

Part of Working Group 1 on Systemic Approach for Building Resilient Education Systems within the framework of the CIE.

Hemispheric Program on Critical Literacy and digital education in contexts of change (LICED)

Part of Working Group 1 on Systemic Approach for Building Resilient Education Systems within the framework of the CIE.

Hemispheric Program on Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Policies in School Environments

Part of Working Group 2 on Intersectoral Agenda within the framework of the CIE.

Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities of Science and Technology (REMCYT)

The REMCYT gathers the highest authorities of science & technology of the Americas to define regional priorities and promote scientific & technological cooperation among Member States.

The image shows students who represent access to a quality, inclusive and equitable education.

OAS Alliance with ProFuturo

This Alliance contributes to the strengthening and advancing of public policies on digital education in Latin America and the Caribbean through intersectoral dialogue and cooperation.

Port Scholarship and Training Program of the CIP Secretariat

The CIP Secretariat, committed to the development of the port sector in the region through strengthening human capital, offers scholarships for professional development courses.

Six persons pose in front of a sign that reads “Barbados Port Inc.”

Technical Assistance to National Port Authorities

Provides benefits focused on institutional capacity building, including technical assistance projects.

Tourism Safety and Security

To promote capacity building In Tourism Security for the public and private sectors in tourism destinations of the Hemisphere.

Community Driven Development (CDD) for governance, education and water security in Haiti

The CDD program, a 7-year US-funded initiative, is executed in two phases by the OAS General Secretariat and PADF.

Economically Empowered Women for Equitable and Resilient Societies (WEE)

Empowering women-led small businesses in Member States to leverage the digital economy, drive innovation, and create sustainable livelihoods for long-term economic resilience and growth.

Hemispheric Program Democratic Principles Strengthened through Education and Policy Dialogue (DEMEP)

Part of Working Group 1 on Systemic Approach for Building Resilient Education Systems within the framework of the CIE.

Language Cooperation Program

Online courses in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese via CooperaNet, fostering skills and regional ties.

More Publications

Highlighted Publications

English Español

April, 2024

Securing Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Development Cooperation in the Americas.

SEDI's 2023 BROCHURE

English Español

February, 2024

2023 Annual Report to the Inter-American Council for Integral development (CIDI)

SEDI's Highlights, Programs and Results for 2023

English Español Português Français

March, 2025

2024 Annual Report to the Inter-American Council for Integral development (CIDI)

SEDI's Highlights, Programs and Results for 2024

More Events

Highlighted Events

CIDI Regular Meeting: New Avenues for Growth in Indigenous and Afro-Descendant Communities.

The Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI)includes a thematic dialogue and other matters.

Jun 13, 2025

Washington D.C., United States of America

Open Call for OAS Scholarship Alumni

Join us for the official launch of the Open Call for OAS Scholarship Alumni—connect and contribute to regional development through CooperaNet

May 21, 2025

Washington D.C., United States of America

OAS/SEDI Language Cooperation Program: NEW COURSE

The OAS/SEDI Language Cooperation Program is opening a new English course for 180 English teachers from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.

May 19, 2025 - Jun 21, 2025

IX Meeting of the Group of Experts on Subnational Competitiveness (GTECS)

The IX GTECS Meeting will explore tools and strategies to boost subnational competitiveness and innovation across the Americas.

Jul 8, 2025

Puerta de Oro Convention Center

Barranquilla , Colombia

Resources

OAS Scholarships and Training Programs

Scholarships for undergraduate & graduate-level studies, short-term professional training courses & innovative online training opportunities for citizens/permanent residents of the OAS Members

Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL) Website

The Inter-American Network for Labor Administration (RIAL) is the mechanism for cooperation among the Ministries of Labor of the Americas that seeks to build their human and institutional capacities.

CooperaNet WebPage

CooperaNet is a Cooperation Exchange Online Hub driving regional cooperation and partnerships for development in the Americas.

Meetings and documents of the CIDI regular and special meetings

The Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) is one of two councils that report directly to the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS).

Foreign Trade Information System (SICE)

Foreign Trade Information System

WEE MSME Online Clearinghouse

Strategic Partners