Local Jewish leader Fernando Lottenberg was appointed on Tuesday as the first Organization of American States (OAS) Commissioner for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism.
The world’s oldest and most prominent international organization, the OAS is comprised of 35 member countries.
The creation of the position was initially announced by OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro at the American Jewish Committee’s 2021 Global Forum in June. Similar posts already exist in the European Union, the United States and Canada.
Almagro also noted at the AJC summer event that the commissioner must “vigorously engage states and civil society organizations to raise awareness of the need to remain alert to all forms of anti-Semitism.”
AJC CEO David Harris said that “we are delighted he chose Fernando Lottenberg, one of Latin America’s foremost Jewish leaders and a dear friend, to fill this critical post, and look forward to working with the commissioner in fighting anti-Semitism throughout the region.”