OEA - CP- Resolución CAAP GT RVPP 591

PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE OEA/Ser.G

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES CAAP/GT/RVPP-591/26 22 April 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

TO THE COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY AFFAIRS

AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER I OF THE STAFF RULES

The Chair of the Working Group is pleased to submit the following report to the Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Affairs (CAAP) regarding the Working Group’s consideration of the proposed amendments to Chapter I of the Staff Rules.

The General Assembly through the resolution “Program-Budget of the Organization for 2026” instructed in section III, paragraph 1:

j. The General Secretariat to submit to the Permanent Council, through the CAAP, no later than March 31, 2026:

1. Proposed amendments to Chapter I (Obligations and Rights) of the OAS Staff Rules, in order to clearly define the term “unsatisfactory work,” which definition should include conduct or omissions by a staff member in the performance of their contractual obligations that have a direct causal link to the resulting noncompliance with mandates by the General

Secretariat.

1. Proposed amendments to the General Standards establishing an institutional mechanism by which member states may submit to the Secretary General documented information on facts or acts that infringe the Organization’s rules and regulations and that could gi ve rise to the initiation of disciplinary proceedings. This mechanism shall ensure respect for due process, staff independence, and protection against misuse or retaliatory application, in strict accordance with the Charter of the OAS, the General Standards, the Staff Rules, the Code of Ethics, and the Organization’s rules and regulations.

1. Proposed amendments to relevant legal instruments necessary to

respect for due process, staff independence, and protection against misuse or retaliatory application, in strict accordance with the Charter of the OAS, the General Standards, the Staff Rules, the Code of Ethics, and the Organization’s rules and regulations.

1. Proposed amendments to relevant legal instruments necessary to harmonize the amendments referred to in the preceding mandates.- 2The Secretariat prepared the corresponding documentation , which was distributed to the delegations as document (CAAP/GT/RVPP-587/26).

The Working Group considered the presentation by the Director of the Department of Human Resources at its meeting held on April 15, 2026.

In its presentation, the General Secretariat distinguished between unsatisfactory work performance (related to results), misconduct (violations of applicable rules), and serious misconduct (grave violations). The proposal also included the establishment of a mechanism through which Member States may communicate with the Secretary General, including both positive recognition and constructive concerns, with a view to promoting accountability and a culture of excellence.

Under the proposed mechanism, Permanent Missions may submit communications, including letters or emails, supported by relevant documentation or evidence. Submissions may be made by Ambassadors or other officials of the Permanent Missions. The Secretary Gen eral would review such submissions and, as appropriate, refer them to the competent authorities in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework.

The proposal initially contemplated that both Member States and Permanent Observers could avail themselves of this mechanism. Following discussion among Member States, it was agreed that the procedure relating to misconduct should be limited exclusively to Member States.

The Working Group agreed to submit this matter to the CAAP, for its transmission to the Permanent Council, with the recommendation that the Permanent Council inform the Secretary General that Member States have no objection to the proposal and that he may proceed with the corresponding amendments to the Staff Rules through an Executive Order, incorporating the above -mentioned modification limiting the mechanism to Member States.

The Chair wishes to express appreciation to the delegations and the General Secretariat for

that Member States have no objection to the proposal and that he may proceed with the corresponding amendments to the Staff Rules through an Executive Order, incorporating the above -mentioned modification limiting the mechanism to Member States.

The Chair wishes to express appreciation to the delegations and the General Secretariat for their constructive engagement and valuable contributions to the consideration of this matter.

Eric Luguya Alternate Representative of Canada Chair of the Working Group on the Review of OAS Programs