How is the Organization of American States governed? - The Global Challenges Foundation

The OAS is one of the oldest shapes of regional governance. How much do you know about this transcontinental organisation?

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When was the OAS founded?

By Martín Tovar y Tovar (1827-1902), Public Domain

On 15 July 1826 at the Congress of Panama by Latin American leader Simón Bolívar

On 2 October 1889 at the First International Conference of American States in Washington DC

On 22 November 1969, when the American Convention on Human Rights was signed

On 30 April 1948, when the Charter of the OAS was signed in Bogotá

How many members does the OAS have?

By Martin23230 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Canada, Mexico and the United States

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and Uruguay

All 35 independent nations on the American continent are members of the OAS

What is the Inter-American Democratic Charter about?

Credit: Jesús Inostroza

Environmental sustainability & climate change mitigation

Strengthening & upholding democratic institutions

Mutual military defense & free trade

What is the role of the Permanent Council?

Date: July 24, 2018
Place: Washington DC
Credit: Juan Manuel Herrera/OAS

It is a body where the member states' representatives set the organisation's priorities

It is an executive committee formed by the heads of state, with the power to decide on policy for the member states

It oversees administrative details in the OAS' organisation

It is a think tank within the OAS, suggesting new policy ideas for the member states

What is the role of the OAS General Assembly?

It is a ceremonial meeting of the heads of state

It initiates and decides on resolutions, and declares the intentions of the OAS

It can veto the legislation of member states

It is a convention for people and organisations generally interested in how the OAS works

Luis Almagro is the current Secretary General of the OAS. What power does his office have?

By U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States, Public Domain

The office is ceremonial. He is just the public face of the OASIn case of an emergency, the Secretary General may activate a clause in the OAS Charter, and make laws by decree

The Secretary General may bring to the attention of the General Assembly or the Permanent Council any matter which might threaten peace and security

The Secretary General can command the combined forces of the OAS member states military

In case of an emergency, the Secretary General may activate a clause in the OAS Charter, and make laws by decree

Where is the OAS General Secretariat located?

Buenos Aires

By Diana2803 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Port-au-Prince

By Ketounette - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Washington DC

By United_States_Capitol_-_west_front.jpg: Architect of the Capitolderivative work: O.J. - United_States_Capitol_-_west_front.jpg, Public Domain

By Dronepicr - Own work, CC BY 3.0