Colonel Nazrul Hussain, Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), was among regional officials honoured at a ceremony marking the 84th anniversary of the Inter-American Defence Board (IADB) at the Organization of American States (OAS).
The March 24 event was held during Ordinary Meeting No. 1484 in the “Simón Bolívar Room” of the OAS’ historic headquarters and included the presentation of the IADB Medal, the Board’s highest distinction.
Fifteen individuals and institutions from across the hemisphere received the award in recognition of their contributions to strengthening security and defence. Among the awardees were OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin and Assistant Secretary General Laura Gil, along with several ministers of defence and senior military officials.
Hussain was recognised for his “outstanding leadership, professionalism, and enduring commitment to advancing Disaster Risk Management, humanitarian coordination, and hemispheric cooperation.”
The award also acknowledged his role in the planning and execution of the Mechanism for Disaster Cooperation Exercise (MECODEX) 2025, hosted in Guyana. The exercise strengthened institutional ties between the IADB, its member states and international partners, while reinforcing the Board’s mission of promoting regional cooperation and coordinated assistance.
Also attending the ceremony was Samuel Hinds, former President and Prime Minister of Guyana, who currently serves as the country’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the OAS.
