REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AND INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS ON THE ACTIVITIES WITH PERMANENT OBSERVERS DURING

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1 REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AND INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS ON THE ACTIVITIES WITH PERMANENT OBSERVERS DURING (From January the 1 st to June 30 th, ) I. INTRODUCTION In order to strengthen ties between the Organization, Member States and Permanent Observers, the Department of External and Institutional Relations (DEIR), under the Strategic Council for Organizational Development and Management for Results (SCODMR), is in charge of coordinating the General Secretariat s efforts to facilitate the active participation and collaboration of Permanent Observers in the Organization s activities and cooperation programs through the holding of informal meetings, the negotiation and presentation of projects, and the promotion of special events and exchanges of information. This report presents a summary of the different activities carried out by the SCODMR/DEIR from January 1 to June 30,. These activities sought to promote financial and in-kind cooperation from Permanent Observers, pursuant to Paragraph III.A.2.c in Resolution AG/RES.1 (XLIII- E/12) rev.1 in which the General Secretariat was tasked with presenting administrative and financial management reports to the CAAP on a quarterly basis, including an executive summary. These reports serve as a guide for the strategic allocation of resources, give an account of activities of the General Secretariat in compliance with mandates from the General Assembly that relate to policies affecting management, the administration and programs, and provide details on the budget s variations and transfers, when applicable. As described in Executive Order rev.7 and rev.8, the SCODMR/DEIR is responsible for coordinating relations with Permanent Observers, in order to provide these strategic partners with information on the Organization s mission, priorities and projects, as well as on the hemispheric agenda. The SCODMR/DEIR negotiates financing and in-kind contributions, as well as cooperation agreements with the Permanent Observers that support OAS programs. During the month of May, the DEIR assisted in the organization of the first session of the Permanent Council with Permanent Observers, which sought to strengthen their dialogue on cooperation with Member States. Participants highlighted the importance of maintaining a forum of discussion for the forging of closer cooperation ties between Observers/donors, partners of the Organization, and Member States. In order to continue strengthening the resource mobilization capacities of the GS/OAS, and as part of its mandated 1 role as the focal point of the OAS General Secretariat with regards to external fundraising efforts, during the first semester of, the SCODMR/DEIR launched the 1 See AG/RES.1 (XLIII E/12) rev.1, Paragraph III.A.3.a & Executive Order No Rev.7 Page 1

2 publication of the Second Report to Permanent Observers 2017-, Transforming Lives Through Partnerships, to showcase the Organization s work and life-changing projects, following the Strategic Guidelines and Objectives approved in 2016 (AG/RES.1(LI-E/16)). This publication informs donors about key OAS projects and milestones, organized under the four OAS pillars, and highlights the changes and progress achieved in Member States with contributions from donors. During the first semester of, in response to the mandate from Resolution AG/RES.2911 of the Cancun General Assembly, which tasked the Secretary General with presenting, in consultation with the Permanent Council, a Strategic Plan to mobilize the external support and funding needed to implement the mandates of Member States and the priorities of the Organization, the SCODMR/DEIR presented the Strategic Plan for Strengthening External Funding to the Permanent Council. In coordination with the DEIR, Permanent Observers organized meetings in their Missions to promote the benefits of working with the OAS to other Observers. II. STRATEGIC GUIDELINES RELATED TO THE STRENGTHENING OF EXTERNAL FUNDING 1. Strengthening resource mobilization processes that contribute to financing the Organization s priorities The SCODMR/DEIR promoted cooperation opportunities between Permanent Observers and the OAS through the regular exchange of information regarding the Organization s priorities and programs. Additionally, the SCODMR/DEIR carried out consultations with the different departments of the Organization with a view to improve the fundraising and resource mobilization strategy. These consultations served as a basis for the elaboration of the Strategic Plan for Strengthening External Funding drafted by the SCODMR/DEIR. In order to improve fundraising and resource mobilization, as well as to give visibility to priority projects in need of funding, the SCODMR/DEIR promoted multiple exchanges between Permanent Observer Missions and the following areas of the Organization: Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy Secretariat for Multidimensional Security Secretariat for Access to Rights and Equity The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) Executive Secretariat for Integral Development The Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) The SCODMR/DEIR also held regular meetings with the most active Permanent Observers and with those offering potential to broaden cooperation, in order to explore areas of cooperation, according to common priorities. During, the SCODMR/DEIR facilitated discussions Page 2

3 and bilateral exchanges between Observers and technical areas of the OAS, and coordinated exchanges between the Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General, Secretaries and department directors with the following Permanent Observers: Germany, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Moldova, Norway, the Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU). The SCODMR/DEIR also promoted a direct exchange between Observers and Member States through the organization of the first session of the Permanent Council with Permanent Observers. This exchange between Member State and Observer Missions allowed for the deepening of collaboration ties between the Organization s partners and the Member States. The SCODMR/DEIR organized the Luncheon Dialogue of the Heads of Delegation of Member States, Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General and the Heads of Delegation of Permanent Observers during the General Assembly in Washington. 45 Observer countries, and a total of 90 delegates were in attendance. This dialogue allowed for the recognition of the contributions of Permanent Observers to Member States. Additionally, the SCODMR/DEIR sends regular electronic communications to the 72 Permanent Observer Missions in order to keep them informed on the projects and activities of the Organization and its political bodies. It also facilitates attendance of these Permanent Observer Missions to ordinary and extraordinary sessions of the Permanent Council, General Assembly and other political organs. In order to grant increased visibility to the Organization s projects that require financial support, the SCODMR/DEIR organized three Donor Roundtables during the first semester, with attendance from both Observers and Member States. Programs from the Secretariats for Strengthening Democracy (Departments of Electoral Cooperation and Special Missions), the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), and the Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights (ESCER) have been presented during these donor roundtables. Observers received OAS projects and shared them with their capitals and cooperation agencies in order to identify those that fit their cooperation priorities. Two additional Donor Roundtables were also organized to mobilize resources for three projects to address Nicaragua s current situation: the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI, by its initials in Spanish), the Special Monitoring Mechanism for Nicaragua (MESENI, by its Spanish acronym), both coordinated by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; and the project related to the strengthening of democratic processes, of the Department of Electoral Cooperation. Permanent Observers have pledged approximately US$2 million in support of these projects, which will be disbursed during the months of August and September. 2. Generate synergies between the OAS, Permanent Observers and other institutions of the Inter-American System In order to strengthen ties and facilitate cooperation with strategic partners, the SCODMR/DEIR is working on promoting cooperation agreements with new Permanent Observers and Donors. Page 3

4 Contact with the Department of External Relations of the Pan-American Health Organization was established in order to explore avenues for cooperation between both institutions. In the same manner, similar meetings are expected to be held with the IDB and the World Bank during the second half of the year. 3. Contributing to strengthening the OAS financial soundness in the medium and long term The SCODMR/DEIR is seeking to diversify sources of funding, as a complement to the Regular Fund. In, bilateral meetings were held with Observer countries in order to explore new cooperation agreements. Furthermore, during the first semester, cooperation opportunities in the education area were explored with the Tinker Foundation. In order to optimize the Organization s resources, DREI worked in conjunction with DFS in updating expired funds in the amount of US$500,000 through communications with Observers and departments of the General Secretariat. The majority of these funds are leftover balances on projects that the executing departments have had difficulties reprograming or returning to Permanent Observer. During the first semester of, the Organization received US$5,264,341 in financial contributions from Permanent Observers to support OAS programs (see annex I), disaggregated according to the Organization s pillars (adding Administration), as identified in the Strategic Vision, with the following amounts: Democracy ($3,281,275, 62.33%) Multidimensional Security ($959,674, 18.23%) Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ($587,998, 11.17%) Strategic Council for Organizational Development and Management for Results ($262,885, 4.99%) Secretariat for Integral Development ($132,435, 2.52%) Inter-American Commission of Women ($20,074, 0.38%) Secretariat for Hemispheric Affairs ($20,000, 0.38%) Page 4

5 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PERMANENT OBSERVERS TO OAS PROJECTS AS OF JUNE 30, By Donor and OAS Strategic Vision Pillars From January 01, to June 30, ANNEX I (in USD) By Donor / OAS Pillar Project Area Democracy and Governance Human Rights Integral Development Multidimensional Security Administration and Institutional Strengthening Grand Total PERMANENT OBSERVERS China Organizational Development 44A ,000 50,000 Imp. Balance Scorecard System 44B , ,500 TOTAL - China , ,500 France Freedom of Expression B - 7, ,752 Program 2 - Individual Petition Syst. 34B - 15,504 15,504 TOTAL - France - 23, ,256 Germany EOM Nicaragua C 23, ,451 ACE and Entrepreneurship 74C - 50, ,000 TOTAL - Germany 23,451-50, ,451 Israel ACE and Entrepreneurship 74C , ,600 TOTAL - Israel , ,600 Italy EOM Colombia 64C 7, ,951 EOM Mexico 64C 35, ,778 EOM Unprogrammed Fund 64C 35, ,778 AICMA/Mine Action 2016 to E ,803-90,803 TOTAL - Italy 79, , ,309 Korea Korea/OAS Internship Program 44A ,000 26,000 TOTAL - Korea ,000 26,000 Luxembourg EOM El Salvador B 24, ,294 TOTAL - Luxembourg 24, ,294 Monaco Bridging Project DSD/UNEP 74I - - 5, ,835 Page 5

6 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PERMANENT OBSERVERS TO OAS PROJECTS AS OF JUNE 30, By Donor and OAS Strategic Vision Pillars From January 01, to June 30, ANNEX I (in USD) By Donor / OAS Pillar Project Area Democracy and Governance Human Rights Integral Development Multidimensional Security Administration and Institutional Strengthening Grand Total TOTAL - Monaco - - 5, ,835 Netherlands POA 2012 MAPP OEA Basket Fund 64D 999, ,980 Cyber Security and Cybercrime 84D , ,693 TOTAL - Netherlands 999, ,693-1,109,673 Norway EOM Colombia 64C 5, ,322 Support Peace Process Colombia 64D 69, ,752 TOTAL - Norway 75, ,074 Portugal Bridging Project DSD/UNEP 74I , ,000 Streng. Civil Process ID Proc Colombia 94B 20, ,000 TOTAL - Portugal 20,000-35, ,000 Principality of Liechtenstein Strengthening National Mech. 34C - 20, ,074 TOTAL - Liechtenstein - 20, ,074 Republic of Estonia Cyber Security and Cybercrime 84D , ,030 TOTAL - Republic of Estonia , ,030 Republic of Serbia EOM Mexico 64C 5, ,000 TOTAL - Republic of Serbia 5, ,000 Spain Cyber Security and Cybercrime 84D , ,310 Unprogrammed Funds 1,565, , ,726 61,385 2,578,170 TOTAL - Spain 1,565, , ,036 61,385 2,791,480 Sweden Support Peace Process Colombia 64D 494, ,559 TOTAL - Sweden 494, ,559 Page 6

7 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PERMANENT OBSERVERS TO OAS PROJECTS AS OF JUNE 30, By Donor and OAS Strategic Vision Pillars From January 01, to June 30, ANNEX I (in USD) By Donor / OAS Pillar Project Area Democracy and Governance Human Rights Integral Development Multidimensional Security Administration and Institutional Strengthening Grand Total Switzerland Plurinational Electoral Organ of Bolivia 64C 4, ,897 EOM Colombia 64C 5, ,297 TOTAL - Switzerland 10, ,194 United Kingdom MACCIH 1St PHASE 64D 3, ,900 Cyber Security 84D ,112-43,112 TOTAL - United Kingdom 3, ,112-47,012 TOTAL PERMANENT OBSERVERS 3,301, , , , ,885 5,264,341 Page 7

8 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PERMANENT OBSERVERS CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PERMANENT OBSERVERS,, (In Thousands of USD) (In Thousands of USD) PERMANENT OBSERVER Spain 2,791.5 Netherlands 1,109.7 Sweden China Italy Republic of Estonia Norway 75.1 Germany 73.5 Portugal 55.0 United Kingdom 47.0 Israel 41.6 Korea 26.0 Luxemburg 24.3 France 23.3 Principality of Liechtenstein 20.1 Switzerland 10.2 Monaco 5.8 Republic of Serbia 5.0 Total Permanent Observers 5,264.3 USD 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1, Page 8

9 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PERMANENT OBSERVERS, (In Thousands of USD) CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PERMANENT OBSERVERS, (In Thousands of USD) GROUPED BY OAS PILLAR Democracy and Governance 3,301.3 Human Rights Integral Development Multidimensional Security Administracion and Institutional Strengthening Total by OAS Pillars 5,264.3 Democracy and Governance 62.7% Integral Human Rights Development 11.6% 2.5% Multidimensional Security 18.2% Administracion and Institutional Strengthening 5.0% Grouped by OAS Pillars Page 9