51st OAS General Assembly

The 51st Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) was held between November 10-12, under the Guatemalan presidency and the theme “Towards Renewal in the Americas”. The Brazilian delegation to the event was headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Carlos Alberto Franco França.

In addition to combating the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for the countries of the hemisphere, the 51st OAS General Assembly discussed inter-American topics such as the promotion and protection of human rights, the defense of democracy, full development and multidimensional security.

The General Assembly approved an important resolution on the situation in Nicaragua and a statement on Haiti, among other documents. On behalf of a group of countries which included Brazil, a statement was read expressing concern about the change in the democratic order and the deterioration of conditions and in defense of free elections in Venezuela. The Inter-American Business Charter was also adopted.

In a vote held in the 51st General Assembly, Rodrigo Bittencourt Mudrovitsch was elected as judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (2022-2027 term). With 19 of the 24 possible votes, the Brazilian won the most votes among the seven candidates vying for four seats. Three members of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and members of other OAS organs were also elected.

The Organization of American States is the oldest active regional organization. The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the OAS. Brazil is a founding member of the Organization, having signed, along with other 21 countries, the Bogotá Charter in 1948. Brazil is also a signatory to many other treaties, conventions and inter-American declarations on a range of themes.

Peru will host the next session of the OAS General Assembly in 2022.