Nestor Mendez was elected as the ninth Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) on March 18, 2015.

[3] As Secretary to the Permanent Council and its subsidiary bodies, Ambassador Mendez is central to its deliberations and to the core work of the General Secretariat.

[4]   In working to address the issues confronting the hemisphere, he has given priority attention to climate change and natural disasters, advocated for women's rights and gender equality, and has brought renewed focus to the plight of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

[5] Upon receiving the mandate from member states, he pledged his “unwavering commitment to seize the opportunity that is before us to work together to transform the OAS into the Organization that we want and that the people of the Americas deserve.”[6] Assistant Secretary General Mendez has worked closely with the Secretary General and Member States towards the revitalization and modernization of the institution, in advancing its role and relevance in the hemisphere, in fostering partnerships for development, and strengthening regional inter-connectivity.

He also focused on a wide range of development issues pertaining to the Caribbean and Central America such as alternative sources of energy, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, trade and investment promotion, and security.