OEA - CP - Resolución CP INF 10905

OEA/Ser.G CP/INF. 10905/26 8 April 2026

Original: Spanish

CONCEPT NOTE

PROTOCOLARY MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL

TO COMMEMORATE PAN AMERICAN DAY

(April 14, 2026)

PERMANENT COUNCILCONCEPT NOTE

PROTOCOLARY MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL

TO COMMEMORATE PAN AMERICAN DAY

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Time: 2:30 p.m.

Place: Hall of the Americas

I. BACKGROUND The Organization of American States (OAS), the Hemisphere’s principal forum for political dialogue, emerged from a historical process that began in 1890 with the creation of the International Union of American Republics. That foundational milestone commemorated every April 14 as “Pan American Day,” symbolizes the shared aspiration of the peoples of the Americas to promote peace, solidarity, cooperation, and mutual understanding.

In that context, Pan American Day has been consolidated as an occasion for raising the profile of and reaffirming the principles and values set forth in the Charter of the Organization of American States, which underpin hemispheric coexistence and ratify the validity of inter-American multilateralism in a constantly changing global environment.

II. RATIONALE The commemoration of Pan American Day by the Permanent Council has a particular relevance in 2026, as it coincides with two anniversaries of profound historical and political import for the Hemisphere: The first is the bicentennial of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama, convened in 1826 by the Liberator Simón Bolívar in order to establish a Treaty of Union, League, and Perpetual Confederation between the new republics of the Americas. That Congress was one of the first and most

visionary efforts to construct a system of regional coordination based on unity, the defense of sovereignty, and cooperation. It represents a conceptual pillar of the current inter-American system and an essential point of reference for understanding the evolution of the OAS as an institutional venue for political dialogue. Thus, by means of resolution AG/RES. 3041 (LV-O/25), the General Assembly recognized the event’s historical importance and urged the member states to pursue activities to highlight its legacy of unity and solidarity. As part of the commemorations, Panama is to host the fifty-sixth regular session of the OAS General Assembly in June 2026.2 The second is the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, which will take place on July 4, 2026. Its commemoration provides an opportunity to reflect on the democratic values and fundamental freedoms that have significantly influenced the shaping of our Hemisphere. Under the initiatives America250 and Freedom250, activities are being undertaken to highlight the commitment to freedom, equality, and citizen participation. This anniversary invites us to renew our shared commitment to representative democracy as an essential foundation for stability and development in the Americas. Thus, General Assembly resolution AG/RES. 3042 (LV-O/25) highlights the participation of the OAS in that 250th anniversary as part of a broader recognition of the common democratic heritage and evolution of republican governance throughout the Hemisphere. In the resolution, the General Assembly noted that the concurrence of the two anniversaries— the Bolivarian ideal of Hispano-American regionalism and the independence struggle of the United States—provided an outstanding opportunity to reflect on the shared republican ideals and democratic trajectories embodied in the Charter of the Organization of American States. Both commemorations, while different in origin, converge in a common narrative: the historical quest for unity, freedom, and cooperation among the Hemisphere’s nations.

III. OBJECTIVES  To commemorate Pan American Day as the maximum expression of the common identity and drive for integration that gave rise to the Organization.  To highlight the historical legacy of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama as a fundamental pillar and direct forerunner of hemispheric multilateralism.

III. OBJECTIVES  To commemorate Pan American Day as the maximum expression of the common identity and drive for integration that gave rise to the Organization.  To highlight the historical legacy of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama as a fundamental pillar and direct forerunner of hemispheric multilateralism.  To recognize the importance of the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States in shaping and promoting democratic values in the region.  To reaffirm the role of the OAS as the central platform for institutional political dialogue and international cooperation in the Hemisphere.  To promote a message of unity, cooperation, and dialogue , ratifying the member states’ commitment to democratic values, equity, cultural diversity, and peace building.3

IV. MEETING FORMAT The following format is proposed for the meeting’s agenda:

1. Introduction:  Remarks by the Chair of the Permanent Council  Remarks by the OAS Secretary General

2. Special commemorative presentations on:  The historical legacy and relevance of the Bicentennial of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama (1826-2026)  The hemispheric import of the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence (1776-2026)

3. Remarks by member states The concurrence of the two anniversaries—the bicentennial of the Congress of Panama and the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States—enables the reaffirmation of a hemispheric identity based on common principles. This synchronicity of historic milestones strengthens the path toward a future of cooperation and well-being for all our peoples.