12 February 2021, New York, USA - Head of UNITAR New York Office, Mr. Marco Suazo, attends the Transfer of Power Ceremony for the newly elected Technical Secretary for the Development of the Indigenous People’s Villages of Latin America and the Caribbean. After receiving a personal invitation from the President of the Directive Council, Mirna Cunningham, Mr. Suazo, attends the ceremonial proceedings. After a brief spiritual introduction, Segundina Flores, member of the Directive Council of FILAC, gave welcoming remarks on behalf of the Native People’s Villages of Bolivia. Once finished, the floor was then passed to Freddy Mamani, Vice counselor of the Multinational State of Bolivia, host of FILAC, where welcoming remarks were also continued by him. Passing the floor then to Amadeo Martinez, Forum Coordinator of Indigenous People of Abya Yala, Amadeo proceeded to speak shortly concerning the aspirations of the Indigenous Villages of Latin America for the new leadership. In full support of the new State’s initiatives that are to be a part of FILAC, Fernando Aguirre, Representative of Colombia voiced his adamant endorsement of the proposed initiatives for the new term. Reaffirming the responsibilities and promises made to the Indigenous Villages was noted to be of prime importance by Higinio Obispo, ONIC. The renewed willingness to support extra-regional states was highlighted by Carmen Castiella in the next session, Vice President of FILAC for the Government of Spain.
Once all the formal speeches had been given by the esteemed members of different State and organization representatives, the formal ceremonial proceedings began. Initiating with the naming of the technical Secretary of FILAC, and lead by Dr. Mirna Cunningham, President of Directive Council. Following the formal naming, the ceremonial leading staff was then given to Gabriel Muyuy Jacanamejoy by the previous Technical Secretary, Alvaro Pop, where he gave congratulatory remarks. Gabriel Muyuy Jacanamejoy, newly inducted Technical Secretary proceeded to give his inaugural speech. Ceremonial festivities were closed by Nadino Calapucha, youth of the Amazonian Basin. To close, a group photo was taken to commemorate the historic event.