Organisation of American States Summit 2013

flickr-OEA - OAS

The General Assembly of the Organization of American States is an annual summit of all the involved American States to discuss mutual matters concerning the entire region.

Occurring at a different location each year, the Assembly are known to cover the following:

* Decisions on the general action and policy of the Organization
* Determine the structure and functions of its organs
* Consider matter relating to friendly relations among the American states

* Establish measures for coordinating the activities

* Strengthen and coordinate cooperation with the United Nations and its subsidiaries

* Approve the program budget and determine the quotas of the member states

* Consider the reports of the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs

* Consider the observations and recommendations presented by the Permanent Council

* Consider the reports of any organ which may be required by the General Assembly itself

* Adopt general standards to govern the operations of the General Secretariat

* Exercise powers in accordance with the provisions of the Charter and of other inter-American treaties.

* Promote collaboration on economic, social, and cultural levels with other international organizations with similar goals and purposes to those of the Organization of American States.

The OAS is the world's oldest regional organization dating back to the First International Conference of American States, held in Washington, D.C., from October 1889 to April 1890.

That meeting concluded the necessity for the establishment of a unified Assembly to address continental issues, bring about uniformity and address coherence in policy.