JOINT SUMMIT WORKING GROUP –JSWG
OAS, ECLAC, IDB, PAHO, World Bank, IICA
CAF, CDB, CABEI, IOM, ILO, ICA

 

During the Third Summit of the Americas, held in Quebec City, Canada, in April of 2001, the partner institutions of the Summit Process (the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Pan American Health Organization, and the World Bank), coordinated by the Organization of American States (OAS), presented their first joint hemispheric report, outlining the activities carried out in fulfillment of the mandates of the Second Summit of the Americas, held in Santiago, Chile, in April of 1998.

As a result of the Third Summit of the Americas, the role of these institutions became more prominent: The Quebec City Plan of Action underscored the need for permanent coordination in the inter-American system and welcomed the involvement of international organizations in all stages of the Summit Process.

In follow-up to this mandate, the aforementioned institutions signed, in June of 2001, a Letter of Understanding, which created the Joint Summit Working Group (JSWG). This Group’s objective is to increase coordination in the implementation and follow-up of mandates. Shortly thereafter, the Group invited the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation of Agriculture (IICA), the Andean Corporation for Development (CAF), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) to participate in their activities.

In preparation for the Special Summit of the Americas that took place on January 12-13, 2004, in Monterrey, Mexico, the participation of these institutions was fundamental. The JSWG was present during the negotiation of the Declaration of Nuevo Leon and provided, as requested, technical support to the governments. During the Special Summit, the Heads of States and Government consulted the heads of the institutions on their respective areas of specialization. This active interaction and exchange reflects the commitment of the institutions to the Summits of the Americas and the recognition from countries of the contributions that these organizations can make in the fulfillment of the objectives established in the Declarations and Plans of Action.

In 2004, the International Organization for Migrations (IOM) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) joined the Joint Summit Working Group activities. In 2005, the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA) requested their participation in the JSWG activities as well. Coordination of efforts in support of follow-up and implementation of the Summits of the Americas mandates, represents a great challenge for members of the Joint Summit Working Group who have committed to achieve a greater presence of Summit mandates in their own agendas and in their technical and financial activities.

Finally, in the Declaration of Mar del Plata at the Fourth Summit of the Americas in November 2005, the Heads of State and Government of the Americas entrusted the member institutions of the JSWG to continue supporting, through their respective activities and programs, the follow-up and implementation of the Declarations and Plans of Action of the Summits of the Americas and to provide assistance in preparations for future Summits.

The Summit Process revived hemispheric relations, revitalized the multilateral agenda, and recognized that inter-American organizations that comprise the Joint Summit Working Group are important actors for the promotion of solidarity and collective action in the achievement of the objectives presented in the framework of the Summits.

Hemispheric Reports on Mandate Implementation:

In recent years, the JSWG prepared reports on hemispheric implementation that cover the activities carried out by the institutions on themes of the Summit Process.

·         From Santiago to Quebec: Report on the achievements of the Inter-American System

Before the Third Summit of the Americas took place, the OAS, IDB, ECLAC, PAHO and the World Bank collaborated on a joint publication, which emphasized the work carried out on themes such as democracy, promotion of human rights, social policies, fight against corruption and illegal trafficking of drugs. This publication also described new instruments to combat terrorism, develop confidence measures and strengthen political institutions, judicial systems and the administration of justice.

      ·         A un año de Québec / Quebec City – A Year in Review

During the XXVI Meeting of the Summit Implementation Review Group that took place on June 3, 2002, in St. Michael, Barbados, the JSWG presented its second annual hemispheric report. This document reported on the activities of the inter-American institutions and the World Bank in the implementation of the Summit mandates during 2002.

     ·         JSWG Report May – October, 2002

XXVII Meeting of the SIRG, November 7, 2002, PAHO headquarters in Washington D.C.

     ·         JSWG Report November, 2002 – March, 2003

XXVII Meeting of the SIRG, April 2, 2003, Washington D.C.

     ·         JSWG Report April – June, 2003
 

XXIX Ministerial Meeting of the SIRG, Santiago de Chile, June 9, 2003

     ·          Annual Report of the JSWG – June, 2004

During the XXXV Ministerial Meeting of the SIRG, held in Quito, Ecuador, June 7, 2004, the JSWG presented its report, centered on the activities carried out by the institutions in follow-up of the mandates on the fight against corruption.

     ·
          Achievements of the Summits of the Americas: Institutional Contributions

At the Fourth Summit of the Americas, the JSWG produced this report in November 2005, which was presented to the Heads of State and Government of the Americas.

     ·         Report on Implementation of the Mandates of the Fourth Summit – June, 2006

During the XLV Ministerial Meeting of the SIRG, held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in the framework of the XXXVI OAS General Assembly, the JSWG presented this report, which highlighted the initiatives advanced in the areas covered by the Fourth Summit of the Americas.

 

To learn more about each partner institution please see their Web sites:

OAS/OEA

IDB/BID
 

ECLAC/CEPAL

PAHO/OPS

IICA/IICA
 

CABEI/BCIE


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