The status of permanent observer to the OAS was created by the General Assembly in 1971. Permanent observers participate in the Organization's activities and contribute to its programs. As of February 29, 1996, the permanent observers were: Algeria, Angola, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Holy See, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Morocco, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Seven new states were accorded permanent observer status at the OAS. They are: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The governments of countries in different parts of the world bound by historical, cultural, or commercial ties with the peoples of the Hemisphere have expressed increasing interest in taking part in the affairs of the OAS as observers at its meetings and as participants in its programs. This interest reflects the growing importance of the American nations in international relations and the Organization's prominent role in furthering inter-American relations.

In expressing their views on participation in the Organization, the permanent observers have painted a broad picture of cooperation that embraces more extensive economic and commercial ties and the sharing of development experiences, but also includes a rapprochement between different peoples as a basis for preserving peace.

In 1995 Permanent Observer contributions to a variety of OAS programs totaled some US$ 4.53 million. Two other countries which did not have the status of Permanent Observer, Norway and Sweden, contributed US$ 70.6 thousand during the year. In January 1996, the Kingdom of the Netherlands contributed US$ 899 thousand for the OAS Mission in Suriname. The Permanent Observers participated in activities for the promotion of democracy (Belgium, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Russian Federation), the fellowships program (France, Israel, Spain), the tri-national Trifinio project (Finland), prevention of natural disasters (European Union), quality control and productivity in the textile and food industries (Germany), activities of CICAD (European Union, France, Japan), the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (European Union), and the Inter-American Children's Institute (Spain). The Permanent Observers also participated in various OAS cultural activities.

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