On Sunday March 18, the XLVIII Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Interamerican Development Bank was held in Guatemala City.  The following remarks were made by the President of the Bank, Dr. Luis Alberto Moreno at the welcome dinner in honor of distinguished guests held on Sunday, March 18, 2007: 

"Madame President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, Mister President of Honduras, Jose Manuel Zelaya, Mister Prime Minister of Belize, Said Musa and, most especially, our hosts Oscar Berger, President of Guatemala and Mrs. Berger, Mister Hugo Beteta, Governor of IDB for Guatemala, Mister Paulo Bernardo Silva, Governor of IDB for Brasil and current President of the Board of Governors, other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

I want to welcome you and thank you all for joining us this evening and I have a very important announcement to make. 

This morning, many of us discussed the form and function of creating a development bank, discover what we have and build what is required.  You surely remember how many times we have discussed that, in addition to economic values, we are inspired in our work by social values:  equality, inclusion and opportunities for the majority.

We have proposed to grow together to build trust based on clear and solid ethical values and solidarity.  Work from a symmetrical attitude in which we do what we say and defend our beliefs by our deeds:  the weight of what we do….not just what we say.

(gesturing to an ONIL stove displayed on a platform to his right)…you may all be wondering what this is here on my right or the meaning of the beautiful picture on the front of the card you have at each of your place settings….it symbolizes the joy and hope for wellbeing of each of the 100 indigenous families in Guatemala that, thanks to the generosity of each and every one of you, will enjoy receiving a stove that we are donating through HELPS International.  We are joined tonight by Richard Grinnell, the Executive Director.  This innovative stove improves the quality of life of each of these families by reducing fuelwood consumption by 60%, reducing deforestation and generating a positive impact on the environment and communities.

Friends, we have usually provided a small token gift as a souvenir of our annual meeting and on this occasion this symbol of wellbeing is your gift.  The funds we are setting aside for this are being invested here, in Guatemala and there, in the indigenous communities that expect so much from us. So now, please enjoy your dinner, among friends….

When the IDB President, Dr. Luis Alberto Moreno, gave the opening remarks to welcome the guests, he mentioned HELPS by name and pointed out the ONIL stove which was set up to the right of his podium.  The stove was embellished with typical artifacts and a large bow in IDB colors to symbolize the gift to the 100 indigenous families.  He mentioned HELPS and Richard Grinnell who stood from his seat to acknowledge the honor.  Following the dinner, President Berger, the prime minister of Belize and other VIPs approached the HELPS staff to congratulate HELPS International.  As people were mingling, they approached IDB President Moreno and presented him with a miniature ONIL stove in appreciation.