The agreement was signed in Washington in the presence of the OAS Secretary General.
José Roberto Dutriz, president of the IAPA, and Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the OAS.
The agreement was signed in Washington in the presence of the OAS Secretary General.
Miami (August 5, 2025) - The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) and the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) of the Organization of American States (OAS) today signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a strategic alliance to work on joint initiatives promoting gender equity, inclusion, and the participation of women in the journalistic field across the Americas.
The signing ceremony took place at the OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C., and was attended by the organization's Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, as well as representatives from CIM, high-level officials, and a prominent delegation from IAPA.
Representing IAPA were its president, José Roberto Dutriz; former presidents Roberto Rock (La Silla Rota, Mexico) and Michael Greenspon (The New York Times, United States); the president of the Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, Martha Ramos (Organización Editorial Mexicana); the president of the Journalism in Exile Sub-Committee, Juan Lorenzo Holmann (La Prensa, Nicaragua), and the executive director, Carlos Lauría.
During the event, IAPA President José Roberto Dutriz emphasized the relevance of the agreement as a concrete step towards a more inclusive press committed to women's rights and diversities.
"This document is not just a formality; it is an extraordinary milestone marking a tangible commitment to advancing a cause that we consider fundamental at IAPA," said Dutriz.
"From IAPA, we have been following with deep concern the regression facing women's rights in the region. The progress made is being threatened. Therefore, journalism must act not only as a witness but as an agent of change," he affirmed.
The memorandum of understanding establishes a framework for cooperation to promote women's access and participation in freedom of expression and decision-making processes within the media, including the use of new information and communication technologies. It also promotes balanced representation of women in the press.
The collaboration between IAPA and CIM will include:
The agreement also includes mutual participation in public meetings and mechanisms for exchange of information, publications, and technical assistance to advance common objectives.
"The agreement with the Inter-American Commission of Women marks the beginning of an era of active and productive cooperation," Dutriz emphasized. "We envision a series of immediate and medium-term actions that will positively impact on how news is constructed, who tells it, and which voices are privileged in the public sphere."
Finally, the IAPA president reiterated that this memorandum represents a concrete response to the urgent need to act against setbacks in rights, and a firm commitment to a future where media are drivers of justice, diversity, and equity.
"This agreement is proof that, even in the most complex scenarios, cooperation and dialogue can pave the way for a fairer future. We are ready to work," Dutriz concluded.
The Secretary General of the OAS, Albert Ramdin, thanked the IAPA for signing the agreement and agreed with President Dutriz that it is time to take action.
The IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of the press and expression in the Americas. It comprises more than 1,300 publications from the western hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida, United States.