Organization of American States (OAS)

This database contains the publications of the Organization of American States (OAS), the world's oldest regional organization.

The Organization of American States (OAS):

• consists of 34 independent countries of the Americas
• traces its origins to 1890 and was officially established in 1948
• is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Its purposes are:

• to strengthen peace and security in the Western Hemisphere
• promote representative democracy
• ensure the peaceful settlement of disputes among members
• provide for common action in the event of aggression
• promote economic, social, and cultural development

The OAS is governed by:

• the General Assembly, its primary policy-making body
  • every member state is represented in the General Assembly and has the right to one vote
• the General Secretariat, which carries out policies passed by the General Assembly
• the Permanent Council, which conducts day-to-day business
  • ambassadors represent member states in the Permanent Council
• the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary General
  • elected to five-year terms by the General Assembly
  • can only be reelected once
  • positions cannot be succeeded by someone of the same nationality

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