Organization of American States (OAS)

The Organization of American States (OAS), or, as it is known in the three other official languages, OEA, is an international organization, headquartered in Washington D.C., United States of America.

The OAS brings together the nations of the Western Hemisphere to strengthen cooperation on democratic values, defend common interests and debate the major issues facing the region and the world. It is the region's principal multilateral forum for strengthening democracy, promoting human rights, and confronting shared problems such as poverty, terrorism, illegal drugs and corruption.

All 35 independent states of the Americas have ratified the OAS Charter and belong to the Organization with four official languages - English, Spanish, Portugese and French. Cuba remains a member, but its government has been excluded from participation in the OAS since 1962.