CP/RES. 759 (1217/99)

GUIDELINES FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF
CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN OAS ACTIVITIES

THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES,

HAVING SEEN the report by the Chair of the Committee on Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities and having studied the document prepared by that Committee, "Guidelines for the Participation of Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities" (CP/CSC-4/99 rev. 7); and

BEARING IN MIND:

General Assembly resolution "The Organization of American States and Civil Society" [AG/RES. 1661 (XXIX-O/99)] containing the mandate for the Permanent Council to prepare guidelines for civil society participation in OAS activities and to adopt them before December 31, 1999;

The standards on cooperative relations between the Organization of American States and the United Nations, UN specialized agencies, and other national and international agencies contained in resolution AG/RES. 57 (I-O/71) and resolution CP/RES. 704 (1129/97) on the legal status of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the Organization;

The General Assembly's recognition of the significant contribution of civil society organizations to activities of the OAS and its organs and agencies; and

The work carried out since 1995 by the Permanent Council and its subsidiary bodies to increase the degree to which appropriate nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations might become more closely involved in, and contribute to, the activities of the Organization, as well as its examination of ways to implement the tasks entrusted to the OAS in the Santiago Plan of Action with respect to civil society,

RESOLVES:

1. To adopt the attached Guidelines on Participation by Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities, which will supplement existing provisions in the Organization, will contribute to its modernization, and ensure the enhancement of relations between it and civil society.

2. To instruct the Secretary General to take the necessary measures to enable the implementation of these Guidelines and to report thereon to the Permanent Council prior to the thirtieth regular session of the General Assembly.

3. To encourage member states to disseminate information on these Guidelines among civil society organizations in their respective countries.

4. To congratulate the Committee on Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities for the efficient way in which it has complied with the General Assembly mandate in the preparation of the above-mentioned Guidelines.

5. To report to the General Assembly at its thirtieth regular session on the implementation of resolution AG/RES. 1661 (XXIX-O/99).

| Resolutions Index |