Organization code
OAS
الفئة
المنظمات الدولية
Established
30 April 1948
Headquarters
Washington, D.C., United States
Members
35 member states (Cuba suspended from participation since 1962)
The Organization of American States (OAS) is the oldest regional organization in the Western Hemisphere, tracing back to the Pan American Union of 1890. Founded under the Charter of Bogotá in 1948, it covers peace and security, democratic governance, human rights and regional development cooperation.
To achieve an order of peace and justice in the Americas, promote solidarity among member states, strengthen collaboration and defend sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
1890
The First International Conference of American States created the Pan American Union (predecessor)
1948
The Charter of Bogotá founded the OAS
1969
The American Convention on Human Rights signed, building the regional rights system
2001
The Inter-American Democratic Charter adopted
The OAS flag is a white field with the organization's emblem at the centre: a representation of the American continents encircled by a ring of member-state flags with radiating rays, symbolising hemispheric solidarity and cooperation.
Adopted
Established with the organization's emblem (Pan American lineage)
Usage note
Use of the OAS emblem should follow the organization's visual-identity rules.
