Permanent Observers

The Department of External and Institutional Relations (DEIR) handles the day-to-day business associated with the Permanent Observer countries, whose interest and participation in the Organization's activities is growing.

In this capacity, DEIR is responsible for advising the General Secretariat and the political bodies on matters concerning the Organization’s relations with permanent observers and multilateral organizations; developing fundraising strategies for the priority programs and projects of the different areas of the OAS General Secretariat; maintaining daily contact with Permanent Observers and informing them about the role of the OAS and the inter-American agenda, and promoting the participation of Permanent Observers in meetings of the General Assembly, Permanent Council and ministerial meetings, among others.

The OAS currently has 72 Permanent Observers, including: Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Nigeria, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Vanuatu and Yemen.

Contact us
  • Gisela Vergara
    Acting Director
    Department of External and Institutional Relations
    Tel: (202) 370-0266
    Fax: (202) 458-3011
    [email protected]
  • Andrea Escobedo Paiz
    Department of External and Institutional Relations
    Tel: (202) 370-0686
    [email protected]
  • Jaime Martinez
    Department of External and Institutional Relations
    Tel: (202)-370-9859
    [email protected]