Cooperating Organizations

The Organization of American States (OAS) is a regional, intergovernmental organization. It consists of 35 Member States throughout the Western Hemisphere. Through the Summit of the Americas process, the hemisphere’s heads of state and government have given the OAS important responsibilities and mandates, including: promoting greater participation by civil society in decision-making at all levels of government; improving cooperation to address the problem of illegal drugs; promoting sustainable development, strengthening democracy, defending human rights, and supporting the process to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas. The OAS General Secretariat carries out the programs and policies set by the General Assembly, the Permanent Council and the Inter-American Council for Integral Development. Specialized units focus on such areas as trade, science and technology, culture, social development, tourism, sustainable development, education and promotion of democracy.