OEA - CP - Resolución CAAP GT RVPP 581

PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE OEA/Ser.G

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES CAAP/GT/RVPP-581/26 18 March 2026

COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE Original: English AND BUDGETARY AFFAIRS Working Group on the Review of OAS Programs REPORT BY THE CHAIR OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE REVIEW OF OAS PROGRAMS TO THE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY AFFAIRS REVISED DRAFT CODE OF ETHICS OF THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT The Chair of the Working Group on the Review of OAS Programs (Working Group) is pleased to submit the following report to the Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Affairs (CAAP) regarding the consideration of a revised draft Code of Ethics of the General Secretariat. The General Assembly through resolution “Program-Budget of the Organization for 2026” in its operative paragraph III.1.e. instructs: e. To extend the deadline for the General Secretariat to present an updated version of the Code of Ethics of the Organization, as mandated by the General Assembly in resolution AG/RES. 1 (LV-E/24), until November 30, 2025. This shall include, among the conduct to be evaluated, substantive and verifiable nonperformance of functions that results in the direct failure of the OAS General Secretariat to fulfill mandates. At its meeting held on February 17, 2026, the CAAP considered a revised draft Code of Ethics circulated by the General Secretariat as document CP/CAAP 4195/26 , which, according to the Department of Human Resources, had been internally consulted with all relevant stakeholders. Following the presentation by the Director of the Department of Human Resources, the CAAP requested that delegations submit their written comments to the Secretariat as soon as possible. These comments were to be consolidated by the Department of Human Resources and submitted to the

Working Group in order to present a recommendation to the CAAP. The Working Group received submissions from the Delegations of Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina, and Paraguay, circulated as documents ( CAAP/GT/RVPP570/26 ) ( CAAP/GT/RVPP573/26) (CAAP/GT/RVPP574/26) (CAAP/GT/RVPP577/26) respectively. Based on questions raised by delegations and comments made by the Chair of the CAAP when this matter was previously considered, and in my capacity as Chair of the Working Group, I requested the Department of Legal Services to provide a legal opinion and clarification in order to facilitate delegations’ understanding of the process, particularly regarding the fact that the Code of Ethics2constitutes an internal instrument adopted under the prerogative of the Secretary General. The legal opinion was circulated as document (CAAP/GT/RVPP578/26). Following the presentation by the Department of Legal Services, proponent delegations presented their comments, after which the Director of the Department of Human Resources, Mr. Daniel Freitas, requested additional time to provide responses. The Chair noted that there was no opposition to the comments submitted by Member States and in light of the discussions, the Working Group agreed to the following course of action, considering the time constraints:

1. To take note of the presentations and the comments made by the delegations.

2. To submit the revised Code of Ethics to the CAAP for its consideration, allowing the General Secretariat until April 9, 2026, to present a finalized version of the revised Code of Ethics, in order for the CAAP to consider it at its meeting scheduled for April 14, 2026.

It is worth noting that the revised Code of Ethics will enter into effect through an Executive Order issued by the Secretary General once the Permanent Council considers and approves it. The Chair wishes to express appreciation to the General Secretariat and to all members of the Working Group for their constructive engagement and contributions to this matter. Eric Luguya Alternate Representative of Canada Chair of the Working Group on the Review of OAS Programs