Secretariat for Hemispheric Affairs (SHA)


Video Intro

The mission of this Secretariat is to promote initiatives of the Secretary General as well as ideas stemming from the dialogue among member states in order to implement inter-sectoral programs; to foster the strengthening of public institutions so they can be more transparent, effective, and participatory; to provide support to member states through all phases of the Summits’ process while encouraging the broad participation in it of strategic partners; and through enhanced cultural and public diplomacy, to develop a strong, shared organizational narrative and to strengthen the branding of the OAS. In this regard, the SHA is responsible for supervising and promoting the Art Museum of the Americas (AMA) and the Columbus Memorial Library, which are key institutions in the OAS cultural diplomacy.

It is composed of the Executive Office and the following dependencies: