OEA - CP - Resolución CP INF 10829 rev 1

PERMANENT COUNCIL OEA/Ser.G CP/INF. 10829/26 rev. 1 10 February 2026

Original: Spanish

CONCEPT NOTE

EIGHTH SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL

DEVOTED TO DIALOGUE WITH PERMANENT OBSERVERS

(February 11, 2026, 9:00 a.m., Hall of the Americas)CONCEPT NOTE

EIGHTH SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL

DEVOTED TO DIALOGUE WITH PERMANENT OBSERVERS

“THE OAS AND THE PERMANENT OBSERVERS: A STRATEGIC P ARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE OF THE HEMISPHERE” Jointly strengthening the four pillars and the implementation of the mandates of OAS Member States

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m.

Place: Hall of the Americas

I. Background The Organization of American States (OAS) carries out its work on the basis of the mandates adopted by the Member States, within the framework of the four pillars of the Organization: democracy, human rights, integral development, and multidimensional security.

In the current hemispheric context, characterized by complex and cross-cutting challenges, it is important to strengthen cooperation between the OAS and the Permanent Observers, with a view to maximizing the impact of their contributions and ensuring that such cooperation is fully aligned with the priorities and mandates defined by the political organs of the Organization. The purpose of this meeting is to provide a space for strategic and forward-looking dialogue that allows for progress towards a structured and active participation of the Permanent Observers, as well as a greater involvement of the Member States in the identification of areas of cooperation that will strengthen the work of the OAS.

II. Objective of the meeting

Strengthen the strategic partnership between the OAS and the Permanent Observers, promoting more active cooperation aligned with the four pillars of the Organization and with the mandates of the Member States, in support of the future of the hemisphere.

III. Specific objectives

1. Identify priority areas for future cooperation between the OAS and the Permanent Observers, within the framework of the four pillars.

2. Promote greater coordination between Member States and Permanent Observers to support the implementation of existing mandates.

3. Promote a proactive and results-oriented approach in the participation of Permanent Observers.

4. To explore modalities of cooperation and partnerships that contribute in a concrete way to work of the Organization.2

PARTICIPATION OF PERMANENT OBSERVERS IN OAS ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS Since 1972, the OAS has granted Permanent Observer status to 75 countries and the European Union1 / . This status allows nations outside the Americas to participate in OAS activities by observing the procedures of its political organs, including the General Assembly, the Permanent Council, and ministerial meetings. Resolution CP/RES. 1112 (2184/18) resolves that the Chair of the Permanent Council convene, twice a year, as its means permit and deems appropriate, a special meeting of the Permanent Council with Permanent Observers. These meetings will focus exclusively on fostering dialogue on cooperation between Member States and Permanent Observers, sharing information on common objectives and projects, and promoting partnerships with these strategic partners. In addition, resolution AG/RES. AG/RES. 2960 (L-O/20), entitled “Strengthening the participation of Permanent Observers in the activities of the Organization of American States,” encourages strengthening cooperation between Member States and Permanent Observers as strategic partners. Since 2018, the Permanent Council has held seven special meetings with the Permanent Observers 2 / . An initiative of the Chair of the Permanent Council and the OAS Department of External and

Institutional Relations, the Special Sessions seek to strengthen, through dialogue, relations with these strategic partners and promote areas of cooperation with them. The Department of External and Institutional Relations promotes the participation of Permanent Observers in OAS meetings and projects, which has resulted in a greater exchange of experiences, information, and best practices, as well as in support of the Organization’s cooperation activities and programs. Contributions from Permanent Observers help implement projects designed to respond to Member States’ mandates in the Organization’s four pillars of work: democracy, human rights, integral development, and multidimensional security. The Department of External and Institutional Relations reported that, in 2025, the Permanent Observers contributed $26.3 million to programs and projects of the General Secretariat (An increase of 4.3% from 2024). In 2024, the Permanent Observers contributed US$25.2 million to GS/OAS programs and projects3 / . IV . Structure of the meeting To guide the discussion toward a substantive and constructive exchange, participants are invited to structure their contributions according to the following guidelines:

1 . The status of Permanent Observer of the Russian Federation to the OAS was suspended in April 2022 2 . Seven special meetings of the Permanent Council have been held with the Permanent Observers on the following dates: May 9, 2018, May 7, 2019, November 21, 2019, June 10, 2020, June 9, 2021, December 8, 2023, and December 5, 2024. 3 . See Report on Contributions of Permanent Observers - Annex3

A. Interventions by Member States Member States are invited to:  Identify priorities, needs, or challenges in the implementation of mandates adopted by the political organs of the OAS, in one or more of the four pillars.  Identify areas in which cooperation with Permanent Observers can provide added value,

respecting the normative framework of the Organization.  To formulate proposals or guidelines for more effective participation of Permanent Observers in support of these mandates.

B. Interventions by Permanent Observers Permanent Observers are invited to:  To present proposals for future cooperation aligned with the four pillars and within the mandates of the Member States.  Identify capacities, experiences, technical or financial resources that can be made available to the OAS to support the implementation of those mandates.  Explore possible strategic partnerships or innovative forms of cooperation that strengthen the impact of the Organization’s work.

V . Expected results The meeting will allow:  To identify shared priorities for future cooperation between the OAS and Permanent Observers.  To generate inputs that contribute to a more strategic participation of Permanent Observers in the work of the Organization.  To strengthen dialogue between Member States and Permanent Observers in support of the four pillars and the implementation of existing mandates.

METHODOLOGY: Considering the limited time and resources available, a limited group of Permanent Observers will be invited to take the floor. Priority will be given to Permanent Observers with designated Missions to the OAS (Spain, Italy, France and the Holy See). The presentations by the Permanent Observers will be divided into three observer blocks, each followed by an interactive dialogue with Member States.

(Interventions will be limited to 4 minutes). For more information, contact the OAS Department of External and Institutional Relations through Gisela Vergara GVergara@oas.org and Daniel Jiménez DJimenez@oas.org.4 Annex I - Contributions of Permanent Observers (2021-2024) Annex II - Contributions of Permanent Observers (2025)