CHARTER OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES PART ONE CHAPTER 1 NATURE AND PURPOSES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP05C01629R000300620002-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 21
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2011
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: April 30, 1948
• Content Type: REGULATION

I Ii III
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2 UST] Multilateral-Organization of American States=Apr. 30, 1948 241
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CHARTER
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AMERICAN STATES
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PART ONE
CHAPTER I
NATURE AND PURPOSES
ARTICLE 1
The American States establish by this Charter the international
organization that they have developed to achieve an order of peace
and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collabora-
tion, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and
their independence. Within the United. Nations, the Organization of
American States is a regional agency.
ARTICLE 2
All American States that ratify the present Charter are Members
of the Organization.
ARTICLE 3
Any new political entity that arises from the union of several Member
States and that, as such, ratifies the present Charter, shall become a
Member of the Organization. The entry of the new political entity
into the Organization shall result in the loss of membership of each
one of the States which constitute it.
ARTICLE 4
The Organization of American States, in order to put into practice
the principles on which it is founded and to fulfill its regional obligations
under the Charter of the United Nations, proclaims the following
essential purposes:
a) To strengthen the peace and security of the continent;
b) To prevent possible causes of difficulties and to ensure the pacific
settlement of disputes that may arise among the Member States;
c) To provide for common action on the part of those States in the
event of aggression;
d) To seek the solution of political, juridical and economic problems
that may arise among them; and
e) To promote, by cooperative action, their economic, social and
cultural development.
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PRINCIPLES
ARTUIa 5
The American States reaffirm the following principles:
a) International law is the standard of conduct of States in their
reciprocal relations;
b) International order consists essentially of respect for the personality,
sovereignty and independence of States, and the faithful fulfillment
of obligations derived from treaties and other sources of interna-
tional law;
c) Good faith shall govern the relations between States;
d) The solidarity of the American States and the high aims which are
sought through it require the political organization of those States
on the basis of the effective exercise of representative democracy;
e) The American States condemn-war of aggressiop: victory does not
give rights;
f) An act of aggression against one American State is an act of ag-
gression against all the other American States;
g) Controversies of an international character arising between two
or more American States shall be settled by peaceful procedures;
h) Social justice and social security are bases. of lasting peace;
i) Economic cooperation is essential to the common welfare and
prosperity of the peoples of the. continent;
j) The American States proclaim the fundamental rights of the
individual without distinction as to race, nationality, creed or sex;
k) The spiritual unity of the continent is based on respect for the
cultural values of the American countries and requires their close
cooperation for the high purposes of civilization;
.1) The education of peoples should be directed toward justice, freedom
and peace.
CHAPTER III
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF STATES
Axnic 6
States are juridically equal, enjoy equal rights and equal capacity
to exercise these rights, and have equal duties. The rights of each State
depend not upon its power to ensure the exercise thereof, but upon
the mere fact of its existence as a person under international law.
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Every American State has the duty to respect the rights enjoyed
by every other State in accordance with international law.
ARTICLE 7
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ARTICLE 8
The fundamental rights of States may not be impaired in any
manner whatsoever.
ARTICLE 9
The political existence of the State is independent of recognition
by other States. Even before being recognized, the State has the right
to defend its integrity and independence, to provide for its-preservation
and prosperity, and . consequently to organize itself as it sees fit, to
legislate concerning its interests, to administer its services, and to
determine the jurisdiction and competence of its courts. The exercise
of these rights is limited only by the exercise of the rights of other
States in accordance with international law.
ARTICLE 10
Recognition implies that the State granting it accepts the personality
of the new State, with all the rights and duties that international law
prescribes for the two States.
ARTICLE 11
The right of each State to protect itself and to live its own life does
not authorize it to commit unjust acts against another State.
ARTICLE 12
The jurisdiction of States within the limits of their national territory
is exercised equally over all the inhabitants, whether nationals or
aliens.
ARTICLE. 13
Each State has the right to develop its cultural, political and eco-
nomic life freely and naturally. In this free development, the State
shall respect the rights of the individual and the principles of universal
morality.
ARTICLE 14
Respect for and the faithful observance of treaties constitute stand-
ards for the development of peaceful relations among States. Inter-
national treaties and agreements should be public.
ARTICLE 15
No State or group of States has the right to intervene, directly or
indirectly, for any reason whatever, in the internal or external affairs
of any other State. The foregoing principle prohibits not only armed
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force but also any other form of interferenceor, attempted threat..
againstt thePersonality of . theState .or ; g
e aamst,.its liticah"', on
and cultural el .c
ARrigA 16
No State may-use or , encourage , the use of coerclve. measures, of :an
economic or political character in order to force the sovereign of
another State and obtain from it advantages of any ]dnd.
Amc zs 17
The terri
Wry of ;a State is inviolable; it may not be the object; even
temporarily, of military occupation or of other measures of force
taken by another State, directly or indirectly, on any grounds whatever.
No territorial acquisitions or special advantages obtained either by
force or by other means of coercion shall be recognized.
Annma 18
The American states bind themselves in their international relations
not to have recourse to the use of forts ; 'except in the case of self-
defense. in accordance with existing treaties or in fulfillment thereof.
ARTICLE 19
Measures adopted for the maintenance of peace and security in
accordance with existing treaties. do.not constitute a violation of the
principles set. forth, in Articles,, 15; and 17.
CHAPTER IV
PACIFIC SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
ARTICLE 20
All international disputes that may arise between American States
shall be submitted to the peaceful procedures set forth in this Charter,
before being referred to the Security Council of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 21
The following are peaceful* -procedures: direct negotiation, good
offices, mediation, investigation and conciliation, judicial settlement,
arbitration, and those which the parties to the dispute may especially
agree upon at any time.
AMcxs 22
In the event that a dispute arises between two or more American
States which, in the opinion of one of them, cannot be settled through
the usual diplomatic channels, the parties shall agree on some other
Peaceful procedure that will . enable them to reach a solution.
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ARria i 28
A special treaty will establish adequate procedures for the pacific
settlement of disputes and will determine the appropriate means for
their application, so that no dispute between American States shall
fail of definitive settlement within a reasonable period.
COLLECTIVE SECURITY
ARTICLE 24
Every act of aggression by a State against the territorial integrity
or the inviolability of the territory or against the sovereignty or political
independence of an American State shall be considered an act of ag-
gression against the other American States.
ARTICLE 25
If the inviolability or the integrity of the territory or the sovereignty
or political independence of any American State should be affected
by an armed attack or by an act of aggression that is not an armed
attack, or by an extra-continental conflict, or by a conflict between
two or more American States, or by any other fact or situation that
might endanger the peace of America, the American States, in fur-
therance of the principles of continental solidarity or collective self-
defense, shall apply the measures and procedures established in the
special treaties on the subject.
ECONOMIC STANDARDS
ARTICLE 26
The Member States agree to cooperate with one another, as far as
their resources may permit and their laws may provide, in the broadest
spirit of good neighborliness, in order to strengthen their economic
structure, develop their agriculture and mining, promote their industry
and increase their trade.
ARTICLE 27
If the economy of an American State is affected by serious conditions
that cannot be satisfactorily remedied by its own unaided effort,
such State may place its economic problems before the Inter-American
Economic and Social Council to seek through consultation the most
appropriate solution for such problems.
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CHAPTER VII
SOCIAL STANDARDS
ARTICLE 28
The Member States agree to cooperate with one another to achieve.
just and decent living conditions for their entire populations.
ARTICLE 29
The Member States agree upon the desirability of developing their
social legislation on the following bases:
a) All human beings, without distinction as to race, nationality, sex,
creed or social condition, have the right to attain material well-
being and spiritual growth under circumstances of liberty, dignity,
equality of opportunity, and economic security;
b) Work is a right and a social duty; it shall not be considered as an
article of commerce; it demands respect for freedom of association
- and for the dignity of the worker; and it is to be performed under
conditions that ensure life, health and a decent standard of living,
both during the working years and during old age, or when any
circumstance deprives the individual of the possibility of working.
CHAPTER VIII
CULTURAL STANDARDS
ARTICLE 80
The Member States agree to promote, in accordance with their
constitutional provisions and their material resources, the exercise
of the right to education, on the following bases:
a) Elementary education shall be compulsory and, when provided
by the State, shall be. without cost;
b) Higher education shall be available to all, without distinction as to
race, nationality, sex, language, creed or social condition.
ARTICLE 81
With due consideration for the national character of each State,
the Member States undertake to facilitate free cultural interchange
by every medium of expression.
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PART TWO
CHAPTER IX
THE ORGANS
ARTICLE 82
The Organization of American States accomplishes its purposes
by means of:
a) The Inter-American Conference;
b) The Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs;
c) The Council;
d) The Pan American Union;
e) The Specialized Conferences; and
f) The Specialized Organizations.
CH.- x
THE INTER-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
-ARTICLE 88
The Inter-American Conference is the supreme organ of the Organi-
zation of American States. It decides the general action and policy
of the Organization and determines the structure and functions of
its Organs, and has the authority to consider any matter relating to
friendly relations among the American States. These functions shall
be carried out in accordance with the provisions of this Charter and
of other inter-American treaties.
ARTICLE 84
All Member States have the right to be represented at the inter-
American Conference. Each State has the ' right to one vote.
ARTICLE 85
The Conference shall convene every five years at the time fixed
by the Council of the Organization, after consultation with the govern-
ment of the country where the Conference is to be held.
ARTICLE 86
In special circumstances and with the approval of two-thirds of
the American Governments, a special Inter-American Conference may
be held, or the date of the next regular Conference may be changed.
ARTICLE 87
Each Inter-American Conference shall designate the place of meeting
of the next Conference. If. for any unforeseen reason the Conference
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 CHAPTER xi
,. ,THE MEET G -OF CONSULTATION OF
MINISTER OF - FO EI NT
ARTICLE 89
The Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of iFo
be held in order to consider problems of an-urgent reign Affairs shall
com-
mon interest to the American States, and to sereaas ' theaOrgan
Consultation.
'ARTICLE 40
Any Member State may request that a Meeting of Consultation be
called. The request shall be addressed to the Council of the Organiza-
tion,d be which heldshall decide' by an absolute majority whether a meeting
shoul
held.
ARTICLE 41
The program and regulations of the Meeting of Consultation shall
be prepared by the Council of the Organization and submitted to
the Member States for consideration.
ARTICLE 42
If, for exceptional reasons, a Minister of Foreign Affairs is unable
to attend the meeting, he shall be represented by a special delegate.
ARTICLE 48
In case of an armed attack within the territory of an American
State or within the region of security delimited by a Meeting of consultation shall be held without delay. treaties
Meeting
shall be called immediately by the Chairman of the Council of the
Organization, who shall at the same time call a meeting of the Council
itself.
ARTICLE 44
An Advisory Defense Committee shall be established to advise the
Organ of Consultation on problems of military cooperation that may
arise in connection with the application of existing special treaties' on
collective security.
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cannot be held at the place' designated; to"Council of the Organ ' shall designate a new place.atiori
ARTIC 88
The program and regulations of the Inter-American Conference shall
be prepared by the Council of the Organization and submitted to the
Member States for.: consideration.
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ARTICLr"45
The',Advisory Defense Committee shall be composed of the highest
military authorities of the American States participating-in the Meeting
of Consultation. Under exceptional circumstances the Governments
may appoint substitutes. Each State shall be entitled to one vote.
ARTICLE 46
The Advisory Defense Committee shall be convoked under the
same conditions as the Organ of Consultation, when the latter deals
with matters relating to defense against aggression.
ARTICLE 47
The Committee shall also meet when the Conference or the Meeting
of Consultation or the Governments, by a two-thirds majority of
the Member States, assign to it technical studies or reports on specific
subjects.
THE COUNCIL
ARTICLE 48
The Council of the Organization of American States is composed
of one Representative of each Member State of the Organization,
especially appointed by the respective Government, with the rank
of Ambassador. The appointment may be given to the diplomatic
representative accredited to the Government of the country in which
the Council has its seat. During.the absence of the.titular Representa-
tive, the Government may appoint an interim Representative.
ARTICLE 49
The Council shall elect a Chairman and a Vice Chairman, who shall
serve for one year and shall not be eligible for election to either of
those positions for the term immediately following.
ARTICLE 50
The Council takes cognizance, within the limits of the present
Charter and of inter-American treaties and agreements, of any matter
referred to it by. the Inter-American Conference or the Meeting of
Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
ARTICLE 51
The. Council shall be responsible for the proper discharge by the
Pan American Union of the duties assigned to it.
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ARTICLE 52
The Council shall serve provisionally as the Organ of Consultation
when the circumstances contemplated in Article 48 of this Charter
arise.
Contribution
quotas.
ARTICLE 68
It is also the duty of the Council:
a) To draft and submit to the Governments and to the Inter-American
Conference proposals for the creation of new Specialized Organiza-
tions or for the combination, adaptation or elimination of existing
ones, including - matters relating to the financing and support
thereof;
b) To draft recommendations to the Governments, the Inter-American
Conference, the Specialized Conferences or the Specialized Or-
ganizations, for the coordination of the activities and programs
of such organizations, after consultation with them;
c) To conclude agreements with the Inter-American Specialized
Organizations to determine the relations that shall exist between
the respective agency and the Organization;
d) To conclude agreements or special arrangements for cooperation
with other American organizations of recognized international
standing;
e) To promote and facilitate collaboration between the Organization
of American States and the United Nations, as well as between
Inter-American Specialized Organizations and similar international
agencies;
f) To adopt resolutions that will enable the Secretary General to
perform the duties envisaged in Article-84;
g) To perform the other duties assigned to it by the present Charter.
ARTICLE 54
The Council shall establish the bases for fixing the quota that each
Government is to contribute to the maintenance of the Pan American
Union, taking into account the ability to pay of the respective countries
and their determination to contribute in an equitable manner. The
budget, after approval by the Council, shall be transmitted to the
Governments at least six months before the first day of the fiscal year,
with a statement of the annual quota of each country., Decisions on
budgetary. matters require the approval of two-thirds of the members
of the Council.
ARTICLE 55
The Council shall formulate its own regulations.
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P , ARTICLE 56
The Council shall function at the seat of the Pan American Union.
ARTICLE 67
The following are organs of the Council of the Organization of
American States:
a) The Inter-American Economic and Social Council;
b) The Inter-American Council of Jurists; and
c) The Inter-American Cultural Council.
ARTICLE 68
The organs referred to in the preceding article shall have technical
autonomy within the limits of this Charter; but their decisions shall
not encroach upon the sphere of action of the Council of the
Organization.
ARTICLE 69
The organs of the Council of the Organization are composed of
representatives of all the Member States of the Organization.
ARTICLE 60
The organs of the Council of the Organization shall, as far as possible,
render to the Governments such technical services as the latter may
request; and they shall advise the Council of the Organization on
matters within their jurisdiction.
ARTICLE 61
The organs of the Council of the Organization shall, in agreement
with the Council, establish cooperative relations with the corres-
ponding organs of the United Nations and with the national or inter-
national agencies that function within their respective spheres of
action.
ARTICLE 62
The Council of the Organization, with the advice of the appropriate
bodies and after consultation with the Governments, shall formulate
the statutes of its organs in accordance with and in the execution of
the provisions of this Charter. The organs shall formulate their own
regulations. -
A) The Inter-American Economic and Social Council
ARTICLE 63
The Inter-American Economic and Social Council has for its prin-
cipal purpose the promotion of the economic and social welfare of the
American nations through effective cooperation for the better utilization
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luddlad Commit.
to&
of their- natural resources, the development of their agriculture and
industry and the raising of the standards of living of their peoples.
ARTICLE 64
To accomplish this purpose the Council shall:
a) Propose the means by which the American nations may give each
other technical assistance in making studies and formulating and
executing plans to carry out the purposes referred to in Article 26
and to develop and improve their social services;
b) Act as coordinating agency for all official inter-American activities
of an economic and social nature;
c) Undertake studies on its own initiative or at the request of any
Member State;
d) Assemble and prepare reports on economic and social matters
for the use of the Member States;
e) Suggest to the Council of the Organization the advisability of
holding specialized conferences on economic and social matters;
f) Carry on such other activities as may be assigned to it by the
Inter-American Conference, the Meeting of Consultation of Min-
isters of Foreign Affairs, or the Council of the Organization.
ARTICLE 65
The Inter-American Economic and Social Council, composed of
technical delegates appointed by each Member State, shall meet on
its own initiative or on that of the Council of the Organization.
ARTICLE 66
The Inter American Economic and Social Council shall function
at the seat of the Pan American Union, but it may hold meetings in
any American city by a majority decision of the Member States.
B) The Inter-American Council of Jurists
ARTICLE 67
The purpose of the Inter American Council of Jurists is to serve as
an advisory body on juridical matters; to promote the development
and codification of public and private international law; and to study
the possibility of attaining uniformity in the legislation of the various
American countries, insofar as it may appear desirable.
ARTICLs 68
The Inter-American Juridical Committee of Rio de Janeiro shall
be the permanent committee of the Inter-American Council of Jurists.
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ARTICLE 69
The Juridical Committee shall be composed of jurists of the nine
countries selected by the Inter-American Conference. The selection
of the jurists shall be made by the Inter-American Council of Jurists
from a panel submitted by each country chosen by the Conference.
The Members of the Juridical Committee represent all Member States
of the Organization. The Council of the Organization is empowered
to fill any vacancies that occur during the intervals between Inter-
American Conferences and between meetings of the Inter-American
Council of Jurists.
ARTICLE 70
The Juridical Committee shall undertake such studies and pre-
paratory work as are assigned to it by the Inter-American Council of
Jurists, the Inter-American Conference, the Meeting of Consultation
of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, or the Council of the Organization.
It may also undertake those studies and projects which, on its own
initiative, it considers advisable.
ARTICLE 71
The Inter-American Council of Jurists and the Juridical Committee
should seek the cooperation of national committees for the codification
of international law, of institutes of international and comparative
law, and of other specialized agencies.
ARTICLE 72
The Inter-American Council of Jurists shall meet when convened
by the Council of the Organization, at the place determined by the
Council of Jurists at its previous meeting.
C) The Inter American Cultural Council
ARTICLE 78
The purpose of the Inter-American Cultural Council is to promote
friendly relations and mutual understanding among the American
peoples, in order- to strengthen the peaceful sentiments that have
characterized the .evolution of America, through the promotion of
educational, scientific and cultural exchange.
ARTICLE 74
To this end the principal functions of the Council shall be:
a) To sponsor inter-American cultural activities;
b) To collect and supply information on cultural activities carried
on in and among the American States by private and official agen-
cies both national and international in character; .
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c2 To promote the adoption of basic educational programs adapted
to the needs of all population groups in the American countries;
d) To promote, in addition, the adoption of special programs of
training, education and culture for the indigenous groups of the
American countries;
e) To cooperate in the protection, preservation and increase of the
cultural heritage of the continent;
f) To promote cooperation among the American nations in the fields
of education, science and culture, by means of the exchange of
materials for research and study, as well as the exchange of teachers,
students, specialists and, in general, such other persons and ma-
terials as are useful for the realization of these ends;
gX To encourage the- education of the peoples for harmonious inter-
national relations;
h) To carry on such other activities as may be assigned to it by the
Inter-American Conference, the Meeting of Consultation of Min-
isters of Foreign Affairs, or the Council of the Organization.
ARTICLE 75
The Inter-American Cultural Council shall determine the place of
its next meeting and shall be convened by the Council of the Organiza-
tion on the date chosen by the latter in agreement with the Government
of the country selected as the seat of the meeting.
AwTIcia 76
Co~ for ?m- There shall be a Committee for Cultural Action of which five States,
chosen at each Inter-American Conference, shall be members. The
individuals composing the Committee for Cultural Action shall be
selected by the Inter-American Cultural Council from a panel submitted
by each country chosen by the Conference, and they shall be specialists
in education or cultural matters. When the Inter-American Cultural
Council and the Inter-American Conference are not in session, the
Council of the Organization may fill vacancies that arise and replace
those countries that find it necessary to discontinue their cooperation.
ARTIC Lz 77
The Committee for Cultural Action shall function as the permanent
committee of the Inter-American Cultural Council, for the purpose
of preparing any studies that the latter may assign to it. With respect
to these studies the Council shall have the final decision.
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CHAPTER XIII -
THE PAN AMERICAN UNION
ARTICLE 78
The Pan American Union is the central and permanent organ of
the Organization of American States and the General Secretariat of
the Organization. It shall perform the duties assigned to it in this
Charter and such other duties as may be assigned to it in other inter-
American treaties and agreements.
ARTICLE 79
There shall be a Secretary General of the Organization, who shall
be elected by the Council for a ten-year term and who may not be
reelected or be succeeded by a person of the same nationality. In the
event of a vacancy in the office of Secretary General, the Council
shall, within the next ninety days, elect a successor to fill the office for
the remainder of the term, who may be i selected if the vacancy occurs
during the second half of the term.
ARTICLE 80
The Secretary General shall direct the Pan American Union and
be the legal representative thereof.
ARTICLE 81
The Secretary. General shall participate with voice, but without
vote, in the deliberations of the Inter-American Conference, the
Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the Specialized
Conferences, and the Council and its organs.
ARTICLE 82
The Pan American Union, through its technical and information
offices, shall, under the direction of the Council, promote economic,
social, juridical and cultural relations among all the Member States
of the Organization.
ARTICLE 88
The Pan American Union shall also perform the following functions:
a) Transmit ex officio to Member States the convocation to the Inter-
American Conference, the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of
Foreign Affairs, and the Specialized Conferences;
b) Advise the Council and its organs in the preparation of programs
and regulations of the Inter-American Conference, the Meeting
of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and the Specialized
Conferences;
[ Secretary General.
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2432 U. S. Treaties and Other International Agreements [2. UST
c) Place, to the extent of its ability, at'the disposal of the Government
of the country where a conference is .to be held,. the technical aid
and personnel which such Government may request;
d) Serve as custodian, of the documents and .archives of the Inter.
American Conference, of the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers
of Foreign Affairs, and, insofar as possible, of the' Speaslized:
Conferences; sr.:e) Serve as depository of the instruments of ratification of inter;
American agreements;
f) Perform the' functions entrusted to it by the Inter-American
Conference, and the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers
Foreign Affairs;
g) Submit to the Council an annual report on the activities of the
Organization;
h) Submit to. the : Inter-American Conference ' a report on the work
accomplished by the Organs of the Organization since the previous
Conference.
ARTICLE 84
~~m,, of 8eae~ it is the duty of the Secretary Generals
a) To establish, with the approval of the Council, such technical
and administrative offices of the Pan American Union as are
necessary to accomplish` its purposes;
b) To determine the number of department heads, officers and.em
ployees of the Pan American Union; to appoint themm, regulate
their powers and duties, and fix their compensation, in accordance'
with general standards established by the Council.
Aana2 86
a Aubtsnt & Ot&7 There shall be an Assistant Secretary General, elected by the Council
for a term of ten years and eligible for reelection. In the event of a
vacancy in the office of Assistant Secretary General, the Council shall,
within the next ninety days, elect a successor to fill such office for the
remainder of the term.
ARTICLE 86
The Assistant Secretary General shall be the Sectary of the Council.
He shall perform the duties of the Secretary General during the tem-
porary absence or disability of the latter, or during the ninety-day
vacancy referred to . in Article 79. He shall also serve as advisory
officer to the Secretary General, with the power to act as his delegate
in all matters that the Secretary General may entrust to him.
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ARTI 87
The Council, by a two-thirds vote of its members, may remove
the Secretary General or the Assistant Secretary General whenever
the proper functioning. of the Organization so demands.
ARrnxm 88
The heads of the respective departments of the Pan American
Union, appointed by the Secretary General, shall be the Executive
Secretaries of the Inter-American Economic and Social Council, the
Council of Jurists and the Cultural Council.
ARn 89
In the performance of their duties the personnel shall not seek or
receive instructions from any government or from any other authority
outside the Pan American Union. They shall refrain from any action
that might reflect upon their position as international officials respon-
sible only to the Union.
ARTICLE 90
Every Member of the Organization of American States pledges
itself to respect the exclusively international character of the respon-
sibilities of the Secretary General and the personnel, and not to seek
to influence them in the discharge of their duties.
ARTICLE 91
In selecting its personnel the Pan American Union shall give first
consideration to efficiency, competence and integrity; but at the same
time importance shall be given to the necessity of recruiting personnel
on as broad a geographical basis as possible.
ARTICLE 92
The seat of the Pan American Union is the city of Washington.
CHAFFER XIV
THE SPECIALIZED CONFERENCES
ARTICLE 98
The Specialized Conferences shall meet to deal with special technical
matters or to develop specific aspects of inter-American cooperation,
when it is so decided by the Inter-American Conference or the Meeting
of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs; when inter-American.
agreements so provide; or when the Council of the Organization
considers it necessary, either on its own initiative or at the request
of one of its organs or of one of the Specialized Organizations.
Belau= of pam.
net.
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 LLI III
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2434 U. S. Treaties and Other International Agreements [2 UST
ARTICLE 94
The program and regulations of the Specialized Conferences shall
be prepared by the organs of the Council of the Organization or by
the Specialized Organizations concerned; they shall be submitted
to the Member' Governments for consideration and transmitted to the
Council for its information.
CHAPTER Xv
THE SPECIALIZED ORGANIZATIONS
ARTICLE 95
For the purposes of the present Charter, Inter-American Specialized
Organizations are the intergovernmental organizations established
by multilateral agreements and having specific functions with respect
to technical matters of common interest to the American States.
ARTLciz 96
The Council-shall, for the purposes stated in Article 58, maintain
a register of the Organizations that fulfill the conditions set forth in
the foregoing Article.
ARTICLE 97
The Specialized Organizations shall enjoy the fullest technical
autonomy and shall take into account the recommendations of the
Council, in conformity with the provisions of the present Charter.
ARTICLE 98
The Specialized Organizations shall submit to the Council periodic
reports on the progress of their work and on their annual budgets
and expenses.
ARTICI a 99
Agreements between the Council and the Specialized Organizations
contemplated in paragraph c) of Article 58 may provide that such
Organizations transmit their budgets to the Council for approval.
Arrangements may also be made for the Pan American Union to receive
the quotas of the contributing countries and distribute them in ac-
cordance with the said agreements.
ARTICLE 100
The Specialized Organizations shall establish cooperative relations
with world agencies of the same character in order to coordinate their
activities. In concluding agreements with international agencies of a
world-wide character, the Inter-American Specialized Organizations
shall preserve their identity and their status as integral parts of the
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Organization of American States, even when they perform regional
functions of international agencies.
ARTICLE 101
In determining the geographic location of the Specialized Organiza-
tions the interests of all the American States shall be taken into account.
PART THREE
CHAPTER XVI
THE UNITED NATIONS
ARTICLE 102
None of the provisions of this Charter shall be construed as im-
pairing the rights and obligations of the Member States under the
Charter of the United Nations.
CHAPTER XVU
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
The Organization of American States shall enjoy in the territory
of each Member such legal capacity, privileges and immunities as
are necessary for the exercise of its functions and the accomplishment
of its purposes.
ARTIcIE 104
The Representatives of the Governments on the Council of the
Organization, the representatives on the organs of the Council, the
personnel of their delegations, as well as the Secretary General and the
Assistant Secretary General of the Organization, shall enjoy the
privileges and immunities necessar7 for the independent performance
of their duties.
ARTICLE 105
The juridical status of the Inter-American Specialized Organizations
and the privileges and immunities that should be granted to them
and to their personnel, as well as to the officials of the Pan American
Union, shall be determined in each case through agreements between
the respective organizations and the Governments concerned.
ARTICI.B 106
Correspondence of the Organization of American States, including
printed matter and parcels, bearing the frank thereof, shall be carried
free of charge in the mails of the Member States.
Legal capacity. etc.,
of Organization.
Privileges and iw-
munities.
Juridical status
oto., of SpeoWisec~
Organizations.
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2436 U. S. Treaties and Other International Agreements [2 us'r
Duration; denunci-
ation.
of the various -Organs and to hold positions fin.
The Organization of American States doh not recognize any lion on the eligibility of men and women to participate in the activities
AariCra .107 _
RATIFICATION AND ENTRY INTO FORCE
Aaricra 108
The present Charter shall remain open for signature by the American
States and shall be ratified in accordance with their respective con-
stitutional procedures.'The original instrument, the Spanish, English,
Portuguese and French texts of which `are equally authentic, shall
be deposited with the 'Pan -American Union, which ? shall transmit
certified copies thereof to the Governments for . purposes of ratifica-
tion. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited with., the Pan
American Union, which shall notify the signatory States of such
deposit.
ARTICLE 109 .: _ .
The present Charter shall enter into face among the ratifying
States wh~een~,,,,two-thirds of the signatory States have deposited their
ratificationsE-uIt shall enter into force with respect to ..the remainbDg
States in the .order in which .they deposit their ratifiations.
ARTIQL 110
The present Charter shall be registered with the Secretariat of the
United Nations through the Pan American Union:
ARTicza 111
Amendments to the present Charter may be ' adopted only at an
Inter-American Conference convened for that purpose.. Amendments
shall enter into force in accordance with the terms and the procedure
set forth in Article 109.
ARTic LE 112
The present Charter shall remain in force indefinitely, but may be
denounced by any Member State upon written notification to the
Pan American Union, which shall communicate to all the others each
notice of denunciation received. After two years from the date on
which the Pan American Union receives a notice of denunciation, the
present Charter shall cease to be in force with respect to the denouncing
State, which shall cease to belong to the Organization after it has
fulfilled the obligations arising from the present Charter.
I Dee.18,1961.
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 1111. II
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[2 IIB'P' JIM, 2 UST] Multilateral-prganixation
A
i
of
mer
can States--Apr. 30,1948 2437
reetrio: IN WITNESS=WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, whose full
ctivities powers have been presented and found to be in good and due form,
si
n th
g
e Present Charter at the city of Bogota, Colombia, on the dates
that appear opposite their respective-signatures.
merican
ve con
-Pngu*
c, shall
ransmit
'atiflc a-
he Pan
if such
TWAIN"
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