About

Adam Blackwell

Secretary of Multidimensional Security

Organization of American States

In 1985 Adam Blackwell joined Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, beginning his diplomatic experience in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria and Kenya. He served in a variety of assignments, at headquarters and in the field, including as Consul-General in Mexico and at the Canadian Mission to the United Nations in New York. In 2000 he completed the Executive Development Program at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada. He then continued his diplomatic career in the region, serving as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Dominican Republic from 2002-05 and Director-General of Strategy and Services in the Bilateral Relations Branch of Foreign Affairs and International Trade from 2005-06.

Mr. Blackwell is currently with the Organization of American States at their headquarters in Washington DC. Starting as Assistant Secretary of Finance and Administration (Treasurer) in 2006, Mr. Blackwell then became Secretary for External Relations and finally has been serving as the Secretary for Multidimensional Security since July 2010. During his career, Mr. Blackwell has participated in and led several election observation missions as well as received numerous awards and honors. Most notable of these are; The Order of Merit of Duarte, Sanchez and Mella Grand Cross with Silver Breast Star, of the Dominican Republic and the Ministers Award for Management (1995). He also was a contributor and coordinator of the 2013 OAS Drug Report.

Currently, Adam Blackwell is also Chair of the Meta-Council on the Illicit Economy for the World Economic Forum, a Member of the Board of the Trust of the Americas, a Member of the Commission to Reform Public Security in Honduras and a Member of the Technical Coordinating Committee to manage the Peace Process in El Salvador. He is also an active presenter and participant at such international forums as Chatham House, The Ditchley Foundation, The Brookings Institution, The Wilson Center and annual and regional WEF meetings.