Bangladesh made Permanent Observer of OAS

Bangladesh has attained the status of Permanent Observer of the Organization of American States (OAS), the oldest multilateral regional organization founded by the United States in 1948.

"Through this new status, I anticipate a strengthened engagement and cooperation between our organization and your country for the common benefit of the People`s Republic of Bangladesh and the Americans," said OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro in a letter to Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.

Earlier, Bangladesh applied for the status of Permanent Observer of the OAS with a view that it would add value to the Organization based on its shared convictions in the areas of democracy, human rights, security and development, foreign ministry sources said here today.

Moreover, it will also strengthen ties and increase deeper engagements of Bangladesh with the Latin American and Caribbean countries.

OAS came into being to address issues of mutual concern comprising only 20 Latin American countries at that time.

Now it has 35 members from North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean countries with 72 permanent observers from all over the world.

Source : BSS