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(Answer at the end of the Newsletter)
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From June 22 to 24, Panama will host the 56th OAS General Assembly, the Organization’s most important meeting of the year. Here’s a closer look at the Organization’s highest governing body.
The General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) brings together the countries of the hemisphere each year to debate, negotiate, and adopt decisions on the region’s major challenges. It is the principal political forum of the Americas and the space where member states build consensus on democracy, human rights, security, and integral development.
Over more than five decades, the General Assembly has promoted agreements, standards, and initiatives that have had a direct impact on the lives of millions of people across the continent. Many of the most important instruments of the Inter-American System — from mechanisms to defend democracy to human rights treaties and regional cooperation programs — were created or strengthened within this forum.
The Assembly functions as a mechanism for coordination through which countries can engage in dialogue, build agreements, and coordinate common actions. Under the principle of “one country, one vote,” all member states participate on equal footing in defining political priorities and guiding the work of the OAS.
The Assembly is not merely a space for diplomatic debate. Its decisions guide the work of the entire Organization and make it possible to transform political consensus into concrete action.
Democracy: Defending Constitutional Order
One of the General Assembly’s most significant contributions has been the consolidation of democracy as a fundamental principle of the Inter-American system. Beginning in the 1980s, the OAS strengthened its democratic protection mechanisms.
The Cartagena de Indias Protocol, adopted during the Fifteenth Regular Session held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, in 1985, incorporated the promotion and consolidation of representative democracy as one of the essential purposes of the Organization. Later, the Washington Protocol of 1992 empowered the OAS to suspend a Member State in the event of a breakdown of democratic order.
This process culminated in 2001 with the adoption of the Inter-American Democratic Charter during the Special General Assembly held in Lima, Peru. The document recognized that the peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and established collective mechanisms to respond to disruptions of constitutional order.
The Assembly has also consistently supported Electoral Observation Missions, which for decades have accompanied electoral processes across the hemisphere, helping to strengthen transparency, institutions, and public confidence. Since 1962, the OAS has deployed 346 Electoral Observation Missions (EOMs) in 28 countries of the hemisphere, with more than 15,300 international observers.
The forum has also promoted initiatives related to democratic governance, public transparency, access to information, citizen participation, and the fight against corruption.
Human Rights: Expanding Regional Protection
The General Assembly is also a central space for strengthening human rights in the Americas. Through conventions and resolutions adopted by member states, the Inter-American system has progressively expanded protection for different groups and rights.
Among the most significant milestones is the adoption of the Convention of Belém do Pará, the first international treaty in the world specifically dedicated to preventing, punishing, and eradicating violence against women. It was adopted in that Brazilian city on June 9, 1994, during the regular session of the 24th General Assembly.
The Assembly has also promoted instruments against forced disappearance, racism, discrimination, and intolerance, as well as the Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons, the world’s first binding treaty specifically focused on this population group, adopted in 2015 during the 45th General Assembly held at OAS headquarters in Washington, DC.
In addition to promoting new regional standards, the Assembly provides strong support to the work of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which are fundamental OAS bodies within the regional protection system. It also elects the authorities of both human rights organs.
Multidimensional Security: Regional Responses to Shared Threats
In the 21st century, the General Assembly broadened the traditional concept of national security to include multidimensional threats affecting multiple countries simultaneously.
Terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, illicit arms trafficking, organized crime, and cybersecurity challenges are all part of a regional agenda that requires permanent cooperation.
In the area of Security, and within the framework of mandates adopted by the OAS General Assemblies of 2006 (36th Santo Domingo), 2008 (38th Medellín), and 2010 (40th Lima), the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) drafted and implemented four national plans aimed at strengthening implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) regarding the prevention of the proliferation of biological and nuclear weapons.
During the 46th Special General Assembly on the World Drug Problem held in Guatemala in September 2014, the Assembly politically reinforced an approach favoring alternatives to incarceration. Following that mandate, the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) successfully implemented two pilot Therapeutic Justice programs for adolescents in conflict with the law who suffer from substance use disorders, operating during both pretrial and sentencing stages of judicial proceedings.
CICAD is also developing the project “Drug Couriers: Strengthening Institutional Capacities in Human Rights and Gender — Prevention, Social Integration, and Alternatives to Incarceration” in Colombia, Jamaica, and Peru, with the goal of strengthening institutional coordination to prevent women and men from being used as drug couriers.
At the 24th Special General Assembly of the OAS, held in Washington, DC, in 1997, member states adopted the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials (CIFTA). As a result of this Convention, the OAS Department against Transnational Organized Crime and the Department of Public Security promoted the adoption of seven laws, two regulations, and the creation of seven manuals to support States Parties in combating illegal arms trafficking.
Integral Development: Cooperation for Growth and Inclusion
The General Assembly has also promoted initiatives aimed at the economic, social, and human development of the Americas and has advanced programs designed to strengthen capacities, expand educational opportunities, and promote innovation and competitiveness throughout the region.
At the 47th Regular General Assembly, held in Cancún in 2017, member states adopted a resolution taking note of the 2017–2019 Action Plan of the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC) and endorsing the Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE), the leading network for economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the Americas, with the goal of stimulating capital investment and job creation. ACE has generated more than 30 cooperation agreements and created more than 200 verified projects, partnerships, and collaborative initiatives.
Meanwhile, the 26th Special General Assembly, held in Washington, DC, in 1999, created the Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development, which in 2014 became the Development Cooperation Fund (DCF). Over the past decade, this initiative has financed 69 programs with initial capital of $7.5 million. The DCF completed its 2021–2024 cycle supporting 15 projects benefiting member states in four key priority areas:
- Transformation of MSMEs through Innovation and Technology: Dominican Republic, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
- Innovative Reskilling for the Recovery of the Tourism Sector and Regional Economies: Dominica, Guyana, Uruguay.
- Scientific and Technological Innovation for Building Resilience: Argentina, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru.
- Science for Decision-Making in Disaster Risk Planning: Bahamas.
The OAS Regular Academic Scholarship Program was established in 1958 by the then Council of the Organization of American States, predecessor to today’s OAS General Assembly. In addition, during the 16th Regular General Assembly held in Guatemala City in 1986, a resolution was adopted reaffirming the importance of academic scholarships and calling for the expansion of the program. These initiatives have enabled thousands of students and professionals to access educational opportunities in strategic areas for regional development. In 2024, the Rowe Fund, which provides financial assistance for studies in the United States, granted $897,341 in assistance and managed a portfolio of 400 loans valued at $2.4 million, benefiting young people from 17 member states.
The 28th Regular General Assembly of the OAS, held in Caracas in 1998, mandated the promotion of distance education and the use of information technologies. As a result, the OAS Educational Portal of the Americas was created, and in 2024 alone it trained 4,881 people in topics related to equality, human rights, security, and other educational programs.
Origins
The history of the OAS officially began in 1948 during the Ninth International Conference of American States held in Bogotá, Colombia, where the OAS Charter was adopted. However, the roots of the Inter-American system date back to the First International Conference of American States held in Washington, DC, between 1889 and 1890.
In 1971, the Organization took a decisive step by creating the General Assembly as its supreme organ, replacing the former International Conferences of American States. The first session took place that same year in San José, Costa Rica.
Since then, the Assembly has met annually with the participation of all member states, generally represented by their ministers of foreign affairs.
The Agenda of the Americas
Since its creation, the General Assembly has become the hemisphere’s principal political space for dialogue and collective decision-making.
In a context of profound economic, technological, and social transformations, its role is essential for building consensus, strengthening regional cooperation, and promoting shared solutions to increasingly complex challenges.
Because at the OAS General Assembly, the Americas dialogue and decide together.
This year, the 56th General Assembly will take place from June 22 to 24, 2026, in Panama City under the theme: “United Americas in the Bicentennial of the Congress of Panama” and the subtitle “Firm Multilateralism in Defense of Democracy, Hemispheric Security, and Stability in the member states.”
Learn more here about the locations, themes, and host countries of previous General Assemblies.
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- May 26: Regular meeting of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) / Agenda / Photos / Video
- May 21: Special meeting of the OAS Permanent Council to receive Foreign Minister of Panama / Agenda / Photos / Video
- May 20: Regular meeting of the OAS Permanent Council / Agenda / Photos / Video
- May 14: Protocolary meeting of the OAS Permanent Council to receive President of Ecuador / Agenda / Photos / Video
- May 6: Regular meeting of the Permanent Council / Agenda / Photos / Videos 1 y 2
- May 6: Regular meeting of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) / Agenda / Photos / Video
- May 5: Special Regular meeting of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) / Agenda / Photos / Video
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Learn about all the OAS programs, projects, and initiatives that benefit Canada here.
Learn about the Mission of Canada
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The First Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly, held at the National Theatre of Costa Rica in San José, took place from April 14 to 23, 1971, and marked a historic milestone for the Organization of American States, as it was the first session in which the General Assembly fully exercised the powers granted under the amended OAS Charter.
The session was chaired by Costa Rica’s then Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Gonzalo Facio Segreda, and brought together delegations from 23 member states, 19 of them headed by ministers of foreign affairs. The OAS Secretary General was Ecuadorian diplomat Galo Plaza, and the meeting was attended by United Nations Secretary-General U Thant.
The work of the Assembly included the establishment of permanent observer status and the consideration of major regional issues, including peace, economic development, trade, human rights, and institutional coordination. The session also gave rise to a notable diplomatic moment, when El Salvador and Honduras publicly committed themselves to working toward the restoration of normal relations following the 1969 conflict.
This historic document and many others are available in our Columbus Memorial Library.
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Some of our forums, workshops, and events:
- June 2: Advancing the fight against nuclear terrorism: Recommendations and tools for the universalization and implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT). More information.
- June 2: Webinar Webinar “From Hull to Habitat: Addressing Biofouling for Healthier Oceans”. More information.
- June 9: Advancing Disability Rights and Inclusion Across the Americas. More information.
- June 21: Private Sector Dialogue - Towards a Prosperity Agenda: Positioning the Americas for the Next Wave of Opportunities. More information.
- June 22: Dialogue with civil society during the 56th OAS General Assembly. More information.
- June 22 -24: 56th OAS General Assembly (Regular Period of Sessions). More information.
- June 23: 56th OAS General Assembly - Dialogue of the Heads of Delegation of Member States, the Secretary General, and the Assistant Secretary General with Heads of Delegation of Permanent Observers. More information.
Learn about our full agenda here.
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