OEA - CP- Resolución CP INF 10940

OEA/Ser.G CP/INF.10940/26 12 May 2026

Original: Spanish

CONCEPT NOTE

“STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF THE AMERICAS:

IMPACT OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR”

(Regular meeting of the Permanent Council scheduled for May 20, 2026)

[Document prepared by the Chair of the Permanent Council with support from the Department of External and Institutional Relations of the Office of the Secretary General]

PERMANENT COUNCILCONCEPT NOTE

“STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF THE AMERICAS:

IMPACT OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR”

(Regular meeting of the Permanent Council scheduled for May 20, 2026)

I. BACKGROUND

In an international context shaped by economic, technological, and social transformations and by growing challenges in sustainable development, resilience, and economic recovery, the member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) need to streng then comprehensive approaches that can help address the economic and social dimensions of development and promote growth, job creation, and prosperity in the region. In that scenario, building greater coordination among states, international financial institutions, and the private sector is essential, in keeping with the principles of multilateralism and hemispheric cooperation and with the mission and values of the OAS.

In line with the proposed new OAS Strategic Plan, generating venues for dialogue is an important task to facilitate exchanges of experiences, identify synergies, and pursue joint actions with those strategic actors.

This approach is based on regional commitments adopted by the member states in recent years. The Inter-American Democratic Charter (2001) underscores the interdependence that exists between democracy, the rule of law, economic growth, and social development with equity. Likewise, the Social Charter of the Americas (2012) recognizes the fundamental role of the business sector in creating jobs

The Inter-American Democratic Charter (2001) underscores the interdependence that exists between democracy, the rule of law, economic growth, and social development with equity. Likewise, the Social Charter of the Americas (2012) recognizes the fundamental role of the business sector in creating jobs and expanding opportunities for the common good.

In 2021, the member states signed the Inter -American Business Charter, which stresses that a dynamic and competitive business sector is a key factor in economic growth, democratic stability, and the construction of more inclusive societies. It also highlights the role of the business sector in creating decent jobs, reducing poverty, and ensuring sustainable development.

This framework acknowledges the importance of promoting multi -stakeholder partnerships and public -private arrangements that strengthen cooperation, solidarity, and the ability to meet the region’s challenges with joint responses.

In that context, Secretary General Albert Ramdin has prioritized strengthening relations with the private sector, emphasizing that the region has a strategic opportunity to consolidate its position in key sectors for development —such as trade and the stren gthening of value chains, energy, infrastructure, innovation, and so on —through public -private cooperation arrangements that can promote sustainable and resilient development and thereby create the conditions necessary for peace, stability, and shared prosperity.- 2The proposed theme represents an opportunity to foster dialogue between the member states and their strategic partners, aimed at identifying the Hemisphere’s challenges that can be addressed jointly with the private sector —including through collaboration w ith international financial organizations—and moving toward a more structured and effective approach in pursuit of the integral development of the Americas.

The meeting will also highlight the upcoming High-Level Dialogue with the Private Sector, to be held during the fifty-sixth regular session of the OAS General Assembly in Panama City, promoting coherence and complementarity between the two forums.

II. PARTICIPATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL

INSTITUTIONS IN OAS ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS

be held during the fifty-sixth regular session of the OAS General Assembly in Panama City, promoting coherence and complementarity between the two forums.

II. PARTICIPATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL

INSTITUTIONS IN OAS ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS

In 1971, the OAS General Assembly adopted resolution AG/RES. 57 (I -O/71), approving the “Standards on Cooperative Relations between the Organization of American States and the United Nations, its Specialized Agencies, and other National and International O rganizations.” Since 1949, the OAS General Secretariat has signed more than 300 cooperation agreements, giving it a solid track record of collaboration with international, regional, and private sector actors.

The Department of External and Institutional Relations (DREI) acts as the institutional liaison between the OAS General Secretariat, the international financial institutions, and the private sector. In that capacity, the DREI identifies areas of common int erest and possible synergies, promotes and coordinates the development of cooperation strategies, and, in general, fosters and maintains relations with those strategic partners. Contributions from international financial institutions and the private sector help implement projects designed to respond to the member states’ mandates across the Organization’s four pillars of work: democracy, human rights, integral development, and security.

In 2025, the General Secretariat received US$10.3 million in voluntary institutional contributions (from international financial institutions, foundations, the private sector, and other entities), an increase of 109.4% over the US$4.9 million received in 2024.

In November 2025, the OAS and the Latin American Business Council (CEAL) signed a cooperation agreement to work together to strengthen public -private cooperation in the region’s economic, social, and educational development and, in particular, to support H aiti. The General Secretariat is also currently negotiating numerous cooperation agreements with international financial institutions, including multilateral development banks.

At the fifty-sixth regular session of the OAS General Assembly, a high-level dialogue with the

economic, social, and educational development and, in particular, to support H aiti. The General Secretariat is also currently negotiating numerous cooperation agreements with international financial institutions, including multilateral development banks.

At the fifty-sixth regular session of the OAS General Assembly, a high-level dialogue with the private sector will be held with the theme “Toward an agenda for prosperity: positioning the Americas for the new wave of opportunities.” This dialogue will seek to identify solutions for promoting investment and driving a modern agenda of prosperity for the Hemisphere.- 3III. OBJECTIVES

General objective

To promote a high-level exchange between the member states and representatives of the private sector aimed at identifying the Hemisphere’s main challenges that can be addressed in conjunction with the private sector or through public -private cooperation—including collaboration with international financial organizations—in order to move toward a more structured and effective approach in pursu it of the integral development of the Americas.

Specific objectives

• Facilitate an exchange of perspectives among the member states and representatives of the private sector regarding the region’s main challenges and opportunities. • Identify areas of common interest that can guide future cooperation actions. • Explore mechanisms for strengthening multi -stakeholder and public -private partnerships to promote sustainable development, economic inclusion, and resilience in the region. • Generate contributions to raise the profile of the high -level dialogue with the private sector that is to take place during the General Assembly in Panama City.

IV. PROCEEDINGS

• Introduction by the Chair of the Permanent Council • Remarks by the OAS Secretary General • Panel: Building resilient and prosperous societies: the private sector’s contribution o Ms. Anne McKinney, Vice President for the Americas of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (to be confirmed) o Mr. Roberto J. Zamora Llanes, President of the Latin American Business Council o Dr. Patrick Antoine, Executive Director and Technical Director of the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (to be confirmed)