OEA - CP- Resolución CP 6208

OEA/Ser.G CP/doc.6208/26 6 May 2026

Original: Spanish

NOTE FROM THE PERMANENT MISSION OF PANAMA REQUESTING INCLUSION OF THE ITEM “FIRM MULTILATERALISM IN DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY: HEMISPHERIC SECURITY AND STABILITY IN THE AMERICAN STATES” ON THE DRAFT AGENDA

OF THE FIFTY-SIXTH REGULAR SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

AND ENCLOSING THE DRAFT “DECLARATION OF PANAMA”

WITH THE SAME TITLE

PERMANENT COUNCILPERMANENT MISSION OF PANAMA

TO THE

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

NV-PANA-OEA-2-116

The Permanent Mission of Panama to the Organization of American States (OAS) presents its compliments to the honorable Chair of the OAS Permanent Council and of the General Assembly’s Preparatory Committee, and respectfully requests the inclusion of the it em “Firm multilateralism in defense of democracy: Hemispheric security and stability in the American States” on the agenda of the fifty-sixth regular session of the General Assembly, to be held on June 22 to 24 in Panama City, Panama.

The Permanent Mission also submits the draft declaration “Firm multilateralism in defense of democracy: Hemispheric security and stability in the American States” and requests that it be translated into the Organization’s four official languages and distributed to all the delegations.

The Permanent Mission of Panama also invites the member states’ delegations to submit their comments on the draft declaration via e-mail to mcortizo@mire.gob.pa, ideally before May 18 of this year.

The Permanent Mission of Panama to the OAS avails itself of this opportunity to reassure the

The Permanent Mission of Panama also invites the member states’ delegations to submit their comments on the draft declaration via e-mail to mcortizo@mire.gob.pa, ideally before May 18 of this year.

The Permanent Mission of Panama to the OAS avails itself of this opportunity to reassure the Honorable Chair of the OAS Permanent Council and of the General Assembly’s Preparatory Committee of its most distinguished consideration.

Washington, D.C., May 5, 2026

To the honorable Chair of the OAS Permanent Council and of the Preparatory Committee of the General Assembly

Washington, DC3DRAFT DECLARATION OF PANAMA

FIRM MULTILATERALISM IN DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY:

HEMISPHERIC SECURITY AND STABILITY IN THE AMERICAN STATES

(Presented by the Permanent Mission of Panama)

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the Organization of American States (OAS), meeting at its fifty-sixth regular session in the Republic of Panama from June 22 to 24, 2026, and

RECALLING that 2026 has been declared the Bicentennial Year of the 1826 Amphictyonic Congress of Panama, the founding milestone of the ideal of hemispheric unity, consensus, and cooperation;

REAFFIRMING the currency and centrality of the OAS’s four fundamental pillars: democracy, human rights, multidimensional security, and integral development;

CONSIDERING that the theme of this regular session is “Firm multilateralism in defense of democracy: Hemispheric security and stability in the American States”;

RECALLING the adoption of the Inter -American Democratic Charter in 2001, which is an essential instrument of the inter-American system that recognizes democracy as a right of peoples and an obligation of governments;

HIGHLIGHTING that 2026 marks the twenty -fifth anniversary of that instrument, offering a

RECALLING the adoption of the Inter -American Democratic Charter in 2001, which is an essential instrument of the inter-American system that recognizes democracy as a right of peoples and an obligation of governments;

HIGHLIGHTING that 2026 marks the twenty -fifth anniversary of that instrument, offering a historic opportunity to strengthen its implementation mechanisms, to modernize its preventive tools, and to reaffirm the hemispheric commitment to democratic instituti ons in the face of emerging challenges;

REAFFIRMING that the Charter of the Organization of American States establishes the member states’ commitment to combine their efforts, inspired by inter -American solidarity and cooperation, to achieve international social justice, integral development, and peace;- 4FURTHER REAFFIRMING the principles of international law, especially sovereignty, territorial integrity, non -intervention in the internal affairs of states, and the peaceful settlement of disputes;

BEARING IN MIND that security in the Hemisphere is multidimensional in nature, encompassing both traditional and new threats, concerns, and challenges, and incorporating the priorities and realities of each state;

CONSIDERING that representative democracy is an indispensable precondition for political stability, lasting peace, and the sustainable development of the peoples of the Americas;

RECOGNIZING that multilateralism continues to be the most legitimate and effective instrument for political consensus -building, regional cooperation, and hemispheric governance in an international context defined by far-reaching transformations and growing interdependence;

EMPHASIZING that phenomena such as transnational organized crime, terrorism, corruption, cybercrime, and other emerging threats require coordinated and timely responses based on effective cooperation among states;

UNDERSCORING the importance of human security in all its dimensions as the linchpin of hemispheric action;

RECOGNIZING the need to promote a balanced, inclusive, and sustainable approach to development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions; and

ALSO HIGHLIGHTING the strategic role of critical infrastructure for trade, connectivity, and

hemispheric action;

RECOGNIZING the need to promote a balanced, inclusive, and sustainable approach to development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions; and

ALSO HIGHLIGHTING the strategic role of critical infrastructure for trade, connectivity, and regional stability, including the Panama Canal, as a key element for the Hemisphere’s economic and food security;- 5DECLARES:

1. To reaffirm the member states’ unwavering commitment to the defense and promotion of democracy, the rule of law, and full respect for human rights.

2. To recognize Panama’s historic role as the venue of the 1826 Amphictyonic Congress and as the host of the fifty-sixth regular session of the OAS General Assembly.

3. To reaffirm that on the occasion of the Bicentennial of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama, hemispheric multilateralism is the most legitimate and effective way to preserve democracy, strengthen collective security, and promote the region’s integral development.

4. To promote a renewed, effective, inclusive, and results -oriented multilateralism that responds to the real needs of the peoples of the Americas.

5. To strengthen hemispheric security from an integral and multidimensional approach based on cooperation, mutual trust, respect for international law, and the protection of human security.

6. To urge the member states, as appropriate, to further develop international cooperation and timely exchanges of information to address common threats, with full respect for their national priorities.

7. To promote hemispheric unity and solidarity inspired by the principles of the 1826

Amphictyonic Congress of Panama, including collective security and defense, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, sovereign equality, free trade, and mobility among peoples.

8. To strengthen democratic governance, public institutions, and the rule of law, promoting fairer, more inclusive, and resilient societies.

9. To invite the member states to consider, as appropriate, additional measures to

of conflicts, sovereign equality, free trade, and mobility among peoples.

8. To strengthen democratic governance, public institutions, and the rule of law, promoting fairer, more inclusive, and resilient societies.

9. To invite the member states to consider, as appropriate, additional measures to strengthen hemispheric cooperation in the area of multidimensional security, including regional coordination mechanisms and the leverage of existing instruments.- 610. To step up regional cooperation to prevent and combat transnational organized crime, terrorism, cyber attacks, corruption, and other threats to the Hemisphere’s stability.

11. To encourage political dialogue, preventive diplomacy, and the peaceful settlement of disputes as essential pillars of regional stability.

12. To promote integral and sustainable development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions, consistent with the member states’ national priorities.

13. To prioritize the implementation of public policies geared toward eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, and building social inclusion, in the recognition that they are determining factors for democratic stability and sustainable development.

14. To urge the strengthening of hemispheric cooperation and the exchange of best practices to advance sustainable development, particularly in developing countries.

15. To recognize the importance of the balanced integration of the economic, social, educational, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, in compliance with international commitments.

16. To reaffirm the full validity of the Inter -American Democratic Charter on its twentyfifth anniversary, as an essential pillar of the inter -American system, and to promote its effective implementation through mechanisms for cooperation, prevention, and collective responses.