OEA - CP - Resolución CP CAAP SA 811

PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE OEA/Ser.G

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES CP/CAAP/SA.811/26 4 March 2026

COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE Original: Portuguese AND BUDGETARY AFFAIRS Summary of the meeting held on March 3, 2026 The meeting of the Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Affairs (CAAP) was presided over by Ambassador Benoni Belli, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the OAS, in his capacity as chair of the Committee. A quorum was established with the presence of representatives of Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, United States, and Uruguay. The audio recording of the meeting can be found at the following link: CP/CAAP-4216/26 03-03-2026

1. Adoption of the order of business.

The order of business, document CP/CAAP-4216/26, was adopted as submitted.

2. Semi-annual resource management and performance report, in accordance with operative paragraph IV.1(b) of resolution AG/RES. 1 (LVIII-E/25) The Chair recalled that resolution “Program-Budget of the Organization for 2026” had requested the General Secretariat to continue submitting semiannual reports to the CAAP on resource management and performance, and financial and budgetary compliance.

In that regard, on February 18, the General Secretariat distributed the report of December 31, 2025 as document CP/CAAP-4210/26. The report serves as a tool for member states, providing consolidated information on the Organization’s resources, including financial and administrative data of the Organization.

The Chair mentioned that the CAAP had the opportunity to review that information with the directors of different areas of the Organization that manage resources and play a key role in that regard. The Chair suggested that delegations take advantage of the presence of the directors to ask questions that might serve as input for future discussions. Mr. Javier Arnaiz, Director of the Department of Financial Services, presented the financial report and detailed information on Regular Fund execution, collection of quotas, contributions to2 specific funds and ICR collection, among other topics. The presentation was distributed as document CP/CAAP-4210/26 add. 2. The delegations of Brazil, Uruguay and Chile made queries and comments that Mr. Arnaiz answered in part. The Director undertook to supplement his answers with written responses.

Regarding the report on internal charges, the Chair mentioned that all the representatives of the areas with internal charges were present and, considering that the report was quite comprehensive, offered the floor to the delegations to present queries and comments on any particular area. The delegations of Canada, Brazil, and Colombia made queries, which were answered by Mr. Francisco Rodriguez of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The Chair requested the OIG to take note of the concerns expressed by member states and asked the delegation of Colombia to share its comments in writing since they reflected the concerns of many delegations. The Chair invited delegations to send their queries and called on the OIG to increase its efforts to meet the deadlines for this mandate, including the April 30 deadline for implementation. Continuing with the presentations, with respect to the Offices and Units of the General Secretariat in the Member States, Ambassador Laura Gil, the Assistant Secretary General, commented that during the first six months of her tenure she had devoted herself to a process of listening, organization, and change. This led to the Strategic Plan, which was adopted by the Permanent Council. Ambassador Gil reported that they were making progress and working to resolve existing problems and

change the organizational culture in the offices and communicating their potential value. The presentation was distributed as document CP/CAAP-4210/26 add. 4. The delegations of Chile and Uruguay made queries and comments, which were answered by the Assistant Secretary General. Regarding the presentation on the topic “Resource Mobilization-Permanent Observers and Donors,” Ms. Gisela Vergara, Director of the Department of External Relations, presented the trend in external contributions, indicating that in 2025 a total of US$26.3 million was received, compared to US$26.4 million in contributions from member states. This represented a rise of 4.3% compared to 2024 and had been the largest increase recorded in contributions from Permanent Observer for 20 years. Contributions from international institutions increased by 109.3% compared to 2024 for a total of US$10.3 million. Ms. Vergara’s presentation was distributed as document CP/CAAP-4210/26 add.3. The delegations of Ecuador, Canada, Colombia, Uruguay, and Spain made queries and comments, which were answered by Ms. Vergara. In relation to the presentation on travel, control measures, and projects referred to the Project Evaluation Committee, Mr. Alex Grahammer, Director of the Department of Procurement Services and Management Oversight (DPMO), reported on the new project evaluation system in which 42 projects have been registered to date. He emphasized that this system makes it possible to monitor progress in project implementation. Regarding travel, Mr. Grahammer reported that the rules established by the Organization regarding non-economy-class travel have been complied with in full. The presentation was distributed as document CP/CAAP-4210/26 add.5.3 The delegations of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Chile, and Colombia made comments and asked questions, which were answered by the Director of DPMO.

The presentation on Human Resources was given by Mr. Daniel Freitas, Director of the Department of Human Resources, who provided information on personnel actions, recruitment, hiring, terminations, and geographic and gender representation, among other matters. The presentation was distributed as document CP/CAAP-4210/26 add. 1. The delegations of Canada, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Colombia made comments and asked questions that were answered in part by Director Freitas. The Chair requested that the General Secretariat send the pending responses in writing, including information on the current CPR policy. Those responses would be shared with all delegations. The presentation on the Communication Strategy was given by Mr. Gonzalo Espariz, Director of the Department of Press and Communication, who reported on the work carried out to modernize the website, update the institutional image, and launch the “OAS Impact” newsletter, among other initiatives. The Brazilian delegation asked questions that Mr. Espariz answered. The CAAP took note of all the presentations and comments made by the delegations and instructed the General Secretariat to respond in writing to any pending requests received at the meeting. In addition, the Committee expected to continue to receive the required reports in a timely manner.

3. Report on the resources used from the Treasury Fund and the status of that fund, in accordance with operative paragraph I.14. of resolution AG/RES. 1 (LVIII-E/25) The Chair recalled that resolution “Program-Budget of the Organization for 2025,” authorized the General Secretariat to use in fiscal year 2025 an internal loan of up to 30 percent of the annual quotas (US$27.66 million) from the Treasury Fund, allowing it to cash manage already budgeted-for Regular Fund expenses. The General Secretariat was required to notify the Permanent Council in writing whenever resources from the Treasury Fund were used and to submit monthly reports to the CAAP on the status of that fund.

The presentation was given by Mr. Javier Arnaiz, Director of the Department of Financial Services, and included an update as of January 31, 2026, as well as a projection to June 2026. The

CAAP on the status of that fund. The presentation was given by Mr. Javier Arnaiz, Director of the Department of Financial Services, and included an update as of January 31, 2026, as well as a projection to June 2026. The Director emphasized that it would not be necessary to resort to borrowing in the first half of the year. To date, seven countries had paid their quotas; however, US$65 million in quotas were still owed to the Regular Fund. He also presented the costs to the Organization associated with the use of Treasury Fund resources. The presentation was distributed as document CP/CAAP-4215/26. The delegations of Chile, Brazil, and Canada made comments and asked questions, which were answered by Dr. Michael Bogachek, the Executive Director, and by Director Javier Arnaiz. The CAAP took note of the presentation and comments and decided to call on delegations to make every effort to convey to their capitals the need for timely quota payments to mitigate the risk of4 cash flow problems. It is clear to the Committee that continued recourse to these loans could result in a high financial and opportunity cost to the Organization. The CAAP expected to continue to receive the monthly reports.

4. Presentation of the results of the operational audit of the Medical Benefits Plan, in accordance with operative paragraph III.2.a of resolution AG/RES. 1 (LVIII-E/25) The Chair recalled that in resolution “Program-Budget of the Organization for 2026” the General Assembly resolved: To instruct the General Secretariat to implement, within days of the adoption of this resolution, a triennial operational audit of the medical benefits plan, including verification of eligible participants and dependents, medical claims, stop-loss claims, and prescription claims, and to implement a medical benefits plan waiver bonus within 120 days of the adoption of this resolution. The cost of the audit will be borne by the

Medical Benefits Trust Fund. The General Secretariat had sent a communication requesting more time to fulfill that mandate from the General Assembly. The document was distributed as document CP/CAAP-4213/26. The Chair recognized Mr. Daniel Freitas, Director of the Department of Human Resources, who presented the progress to date in the operational audit of the medical benefits plan and next steps. The CAAP took note of the presentation and agreed to grant the General Secretariat until September 30 and to forward the request to the Permanent Council with the recommendation to approve it. The Chair emphasized that the requested deadlines had to be strictly adhered to.

5. Terms of reference of the Internal Oversight and Implementation Committee, in accordance with paragraph III.12(c) of resolution AG/RES. 1 (LVIII-E/25) The Chair recalled that in the operative paragraph titled “Implementation of the recommendations derived from the Comprehensive Third-Party Review,” the General Assembly resolved: To instruct the General Secretariat to establish an Internal Oversight and Implementation Committee (IOIC) to oversee the implementation of the measures resulting from the Permanent Council’s review of the recommendations (...); The terms of reference of the IOIC shall be prepared and presented by the General Secretariat by October 31, 2025, with a view to their review by the CAAP and approval by the

Permanent Council. The Secretary General had requested an extension for that presentation before February 28. The extension was approved by the Permanent Council at its meeting held on December 17, 2025. The Chair recognized Ms. Lili Romero from the Office of the Executive Director, who mentioned the main modifications made in consultation with the Office of the Secretary General to the version examined by the member states. The document was distributed to the delegations as document

CP/CAAP-4212/26.5

The delegations of Canada, Mexico and Brazil made comments and asked questions. The CAAP took note of the presentation and of the comments made by the delegations and

decided to instruct the Working Group on the Review of OAS Programs to continue consideration of the proposal in a manner that addressed the request of the delegations. The CAAP would consider the recommendation of the Working Group so that it could submit agreed-upon terms of reference to the Permanent Council.

6. Recommendation of the Working Group on the Review of OAS Programs on the request for an extension to present the proposal for enhancing the Performance Evaluation System, in accordance with operative paragraph III.1(c) of resolution AG/RES. 1 (LVIII-E/25) The Chair recalled that the General Assembly had resolved: To extend the deadline for the Permanent Council to review, through the CAAP, Chapter III.C of the General Standards and related standards governing the General Secretariat, with a view to enhancing the OAS Employment Performance Evaluation System (PES).

And to request the General Secretariat to submit a proposal by February 27, 2026, at the latest for the approval by the Permanent Council no later than the first quarter of 2026. The CAAP received the report of the Chair of the Working Group with the recommendation to transmit to the Permanent Council the request for an extension until September 30 for the General Secretariat to present the proposal, which should be prepared with internal resources already assigned to the Department of Human Resources. The report was distributed as document CAAP/GT/RVPP572/26. The delegation of Mexico made a comment in support of the extension request. The CAAP decided to accept the recommendation of the Working Group and refer the matter to the Permanent Council for approval of the extension.

7. Report of the Office of the Executive Director on the status of the sale of OAS properties, in accordance with operative paragraph III.10(d) of resolution AG/RES. 1 (LVIII-E/25)

The Chair recalled that at the CAAP meeting held on February 3, 2026, several delegations expressed concern that the sale of the property located at University Terrace (the former residence of the Secretary General) had not yet been completed, bearing in mind information available on the existence of purchase offers for it since the year before. In view of the foregoing, the CAAP decided to respectfully request the Chair of the Permanent Council to seek an explanation for the delay from the Secretary General, as well as clarification regarding the current status and the proposed course of action for concluding the sale of the properties in accordance with the mandate from the General Assembly. The Chair proceeded to transmit the concerns of the states to the Secretary General, and on February 18 a response was received informing that Michael Bogachek, the Executive Director, would continue with the final negotiations and proceed with the execution and completion of the necessary documentation to conclude the sale. The note was distributed as document CP/CAAP/INF.618/26.6 The Chair offered the floor to Mr. Alexandre Rossin, Director of the Department of General Services, who informed that the sale agreement for the former residence of the Secretary General had been signed by both parties; the bidding process for the Casa del Soldado had been completed, and the direct sale process is being initiated. On the subject of the return to office, Director Rossin took the opportunity to report that the infrastructure was already in place and ready to collect data. He said that the Secretariat was finalizing the policy to be sent to stakeholders and the Department of Legal Services. The delegations of Brazil, the United States, Canada, and Argentina made comments and asked questions, which were answered by Michael Bogachek and Alexandre Rossin. The Chair congratulated the General Secretariat on the progress made and reaffirmed that all his efforts were aimed at fulfilling the mandates and instructions of the General Assembly, and that the

Secretariat could always count on the support of the Chair to facilitate that. The CAAP took note of the presentation and the comments of the delegations and decided to request the Secretariat to report on progress as soon as possible.

8. Next steps for the mandate from the Permanent Council to consider the note from the Secretary General informing the Chair of the Permanent Council of a request for a classification review of the post of Ombudsperson The Chair recalled that the Secretary General had informed the Chair of the Permanent Council of the request to review the classification of the post of Ombudsperson. That note was distributed to the delegations as document CP/doc.6172/26.

The Permanent Council had considered this matter at its regular meeting of February 18 and decided to refer it to the CAAP, together with any additional information received in connection with the process. The note was distributed as document CP/CAAP-4211/26. Once its consideration had concluded, the CAAP was expected to report to the Permanent Council on the outcome of its discussion and submit any recommendations it deemed appropriate. The Chair offered the floor to Daniel Freitas, Director of the Department of Human Resources, who informed that the post of Ombudsperson had to be audited. He added that if the result of the audit had financial implications, the authorization of the Permanent Council would be requested. The delegations of Colombia, Brazil, the United States, Canada, Uruguay, and Mexico made comments and asked questions. Considering the need to clarify the doubts and queries of the states, the Chair requested the delegations to submit their questions in writing with a view to holding a fresh discussion on the topic at a future meeting of the CAAP. The CAAP took note of the information and the comments of the delegations. The Department of Legal Services was asked for its opinion on the implications of modifying the Staff Rules, and it was agreed to revisit the matter at a future meeting.

9. Other business7

The delegation of Canada, in its capacity as Chair of the Working Group on the Review of OAS Programs, recalled that the deadline for delegations to submit comments on the draft Code of

agreed to revisit the matter at a future meeting.

9. Other business7

The delegation of Canada, in its capacity as Chair of the Working Group on the Review of OAS Programs, recalled that the deadline for delegations to submit comments on the draft Code of Ethics was March 4, 2026. It also mentioned that the update report on the status of the OAS Strategic Plan that was expected from the General Secretariat had not yet been received. The delegation of Colombia mentioned that the report on the execution of the transition budget for the change of administration remained pending. The delegation of the United States indicated that it would request more time to submit its comments on the draft Code of Ethics. The Chair reflected that the Code of Ethics was an internal document of the General Secretariat to which member states could contribute, but it was not a text under negotiation for adoption by member states. He called on delegations to take the timing into account so as not to hold up the processes. The decision on whether to grant a further extension for comments belonged to the Working Group. There being no further requests for the floor, the meeting adjourned at 12:59 p.m.