Our Mission
To act as the principal forum in OAS Member States and the international disaster management partners in moments of crisis:
- Analyzing issues related to natural and other disasters
- Promoting the prevention and mitigation of their effects
- Strengthening hemispheric actions for international cooperation
- Supporting national and regional initiatives for disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response
Our Commitment
We are steadfast in our commitment to:
- Harmonize efforts across OAS Member States
- Facilitate transparent and efficient exchange of information
- Provide advisory services to funds and organizations dedicated to emergency aid
- Offer coordination services under related conventions and treaties
Join us in our mission to fortify the Americas against the unpredictable forces of nature, ensuring safety, preparedness, and rapid recovery for all.
Western Hemisphere Natural Disasters Platform
Building a Resilient Hemisphere
In response to the evolving needs and challenges presented by natural disasters in the Americas, the Western Hemisphere Natural Disasters Platform was established as an enhancement to the former Inter-American Network for Disaster Mitigation (INDM). This strategic initiative stems from the collective realization of the critical importance of structured, coordinated, and unified efforts in response to regional and international cooperation, disaster response and humanitarian assistance throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Organization of American States 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 approved the establishment of the International Union of American Republics, and the stage was set for the weaving of a web of provisions and institutions that came to be known as the inter-American system, the oldest international institutional system.
The OAS came into being in 1948 with the signing in Bogotá, Colombia, of the Charter of the OAS, which entered into force in December 1951. It was subsequently amended by the Protocol of Buenos Aires, signed in 1967, which entered into force in February 1970; by the Protocol of Cartagena de Indias, signed in 1985, which entered into force in November 1988; by the Protocol of Managua, signed in 1993, which entered into force in January 1996; and by the Protocol of Washington, signed in 1992, which entered into force in September 1997.
The Organization was established in order to achieve among its member states—as stipulated in Article 1 of the Charter—”an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence.”
Today, the OAS brings together all 35 independent states of the Americas and constitutes the main political, juridical, and social governmental forum in the Hemisphere. In addition, it has granted permanent observer status to 70 states, as well as to the European Union (EU).
The Organization uses a four-pronged approach to effectively implement its essential purposes, based on its main pillars: democracy, human rights, security, and development.
The Inter-American Defense Board (“IADB”) is an entity of the Organization of American States (“OAS”) established under the last paragraph of Article 53 of the OAS Charter.
The IADB enjoys technical autonomy in carrying out the purpose and functions contained in these Statutes, taking into account the mandates of the OAS General Assembly, the OAS Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (“Meeting of Consultation”), and the OAS Permanent Council, within their respective areas of competence.
The IADB embodies in its structure and its operations the principles of civilian oversight and the subordination of military institutions to civilian authority, in keeping with Article 4 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, as well as the principle of democratic formation of its authorities, to assure consistency with the democratic values of its member states and their participation on an equal basis.
Purpose
The purpose of the IADB is to provide the OAS and its member states with technical and educational advice and consultancy services on matters related to military and defense issues in the Hemisphere in order to contribute to the fulfillment of the OAS Charter.
In carrying out its purpose, the IADB shall take into account the needs of the smaller states, whose level of vulnerability is greater in the face of traditional threats and of new threats, concerns, and other challenges.
Source: http://scm.oas.org/doc_public/ENGLISH/HIST_06/CP15756E06.doc
