The status of Permanent Observer to the Organization of American States was established by the General Assembly at its first regular session, held in San José, Costa Rica, in 1971 [AG/RES. 50 (I-O/71)]. Permanent observers participate in the Organization’s activities and contribute to its programs.

General Activities: 2014|2013|2012|2011|2010|2009|2008|2007|2006

December 4, 2007 - OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza met with the Ambassador of Erlan Idrissov.

Photo Gallery

November 26, 2007 - On November 26, the Permanent Representative of Spain to the OAS to be displayed in the OAS historic
headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Photo Gallery

October 26 - OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, attended the inauguration of Spain's new mission to the OAS. Minister of Foreign Affairs Miguel Angel Moratinos unveiled a commemorative plaque.

Photo Gallery

October 12, 2007 - His Majesty, the King of Spain, has decided to honor Irene Klinger, Director of the Department of International Affairs, for her outstanding work in the international  arena. Mrs. Klinger was given this award at a ceremony today on the occasion of the anniversary of the Discovery of the Americas, which took place after the 11:30 protocolary session in the Patio tropical.

Photo Gallery

October 12, 2007 - Sweden's Permanent Observer to the OAS, Ambassador Jonas Hafstrom, made his first official visit to the Organization. At this time, Ambassador Hafstrom met with Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest between Sweden and the Organization.

Sweden has held been a Permanent Observer to the OAS since 1996.

Photo Gallery

August 17, 2007 - OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza meets with Permanent Observer of China to the OAS, Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, on the occasion of Shangai World Exhibition.

Photo Gallery 

August 10, 2007 - Assistant Secretary General, Albert R. Ramdin, meets with the Alternate Permanent Observer of China to the OAS, Ambassador Wei Quiang at OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Photo Gallery

June 3, 2007 - Hours before the inauguration of the 37th annual General Assembly in Panama City, Panama, member state heads of delegation met with the Permanent Observers.

Photo Gallery

June 3-5, 2007 - In the framework of the Regular Session of the XXXVII OAS General Assembly, the Department of External Relations coordinated the Dialogue between the Heads of Delegations of the OAS Member States and the Heads of Delegations of the Permanent Observer Countries. Among issues discussed is the theme of the General Assembly: “Energy for Development.”  
Draft Annotated Order of business

Orden del día tentativo
Orden del día anotado tentativo

May 25, 2007 - OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza met with a high-level Swedish delegation at OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Photo Gallery

May 24, 2007 - OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza met with Spain's Secretary of State for Ibero-America, Trinidad Jiménez, under the auspice of the Twentieth Lecture Series of the Americas.

Photo Gallery

May 17, 2007 - OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza participated in a forum entitled "Diálogos sobre Incidencia de los organismos políticos regionales en la gobernabilidad y seguridad jurídica en Iberoamérica" at
the Istituto Internacional in Madrid, Spain as part of a cycle of dialogues put forth by Obra Social "la Caixa" and New York University's King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center.

Place: Instituto Internacional; Madrid, Spain
Photo Gallery

May 15, 2007 - A luncheon was hosted by Dr. Chong Keon Kim, Chairman of the Korea-Central America & Caribbean Economic Council, in the Aranjuez Private Banquet Room of the Taberna del Alabardero Restaurant. Ambassador Albert Ramdin as well as other OAS Permanent Representatives and officials participated in this event. The purpose of this luncheon was to discuss matters of mutual interest in regards to the Hemisphere and to provide an opportunity for Dr. Kim to continue his personal relationship with the OAS.

May 10, 2007 - OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin met with diplomats from the Netherlands at OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Photo Gallery

May 8, 2007 - Secretary General José Miguel Insulza received a courtesy visit from Ambassador Dominique Struye de Swielande, Permanent Observer of Belgium to the OAS.
Place: OAS Building - Washington, DC

Photo Gallery

May 7, 2007 - Ambassador João de Vallera of Portugal presented his credentials to be Portugal's Permanent Observer to the OAS to Secretary General José Miguel Insulza at OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Photo Gallery

May 1, 2007 - OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin met with an Israeli diplomatic delegation at OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Photo Gallery

April 9, 2007 - OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin received the Permanent Observer of the United Kingdom, Ambassador Alan Charlton.
Place: OAS Building - Washington, DC

Photo Gallery

March 30, 2007 - OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza received a courtesy visit from Egypt's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Americas, Hatem Seif El-Nasr.

Photo Gallery

March 29, 2007 - The Secretary General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza welcomed at OAS Headquarters the Chinese delegation headed by the Deputy Mayor of Shanghai, Yang Xiong. The World Exposition Shanghai China 2010 is a large scale, global, non-commercial Expo and the motto is “Better City, Better Life.” The Expo aims to promote the exchange of ideas and development of the world economy, culture, science and technology, to allow exhibitors to publicize and display their achievements and improve international relationships. Accordingly, the World Expo, with its more than 150-year history is regarded as the Olympic Games of the economy, science and technology of the world. The first World Expo took place in London in 1851. The Chinese delegation that visited the OAS also comprised other members of the Organizing Committee, including Hua Junduo , Zhou Hanmin, Xu Bo, Dai Minmin, Si Yan and Bob.H.Dong.

Speech by HUA Junduo, Commissioner General of Expo 2010

March 28, 2007 - Secretary General José welcomed a visit by the Norwegian Delegation at OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Photo Gallery

March 28, 2007 - The Permanent Observer of China to the OAS, Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, hosted a luncheon in honor of the Deputy Mayor of Shanghai and Chairman of the World Expo 2010. Ambassador Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General of the OAS and the Director of the Department of External Relations, Irene Klinger, attended the luncheon on behalf of the OAS, among other OAS officials.

Speech at the Expo 2010 Promotion Reception, by YANG Xiong

March 27, 2007 - The Director General for Bilateral Political Affairs in Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vefahan Ocak  met with OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin at OAS headquarters.
Photo Gallery

March 22, 2007 - OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza received a courtesy visit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Elmar Maharram Mammadyarov, whose country has been an OAS Permanent Observer since 2001.

Photo Gallery

February 22, 2007 - Visit by Korean Delegation

The Department of External Relations coordinated the visit to the OAS of a high-level delegation of the Government of Korea which met with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, José Miguel Insulza. On this occasion, the Secretary General reiterated the importance of strengthening relations with countries from other regions of the world and thanked Korea for the support it has provided to the OAS since becoming a permanent observer in 1981. The delegation was headed by Byung-kil Han, Director General for the Latin American Affairs Bureau in Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who extended an invitation to the Secretary General to visit that country sometime this year. He also expressed his intention to continue supporting cooperation projects that benefit the Americas.

Photo Gallery