The Organization of American States (OAS) today commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the Spanish Fund for the OAS (FEPO), one of the Organization's most important, stable, and productive cooperation partnerships. For two decades, the Fund has contributed to peace and stability in the Americas by strengthening democracy, promoting, and protecting human rights, advancing integral development, and reinforcing security throughout the region.
Created in 2006 by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), FEPO has allocated more than $77 million to finance over 200 projects supporting OAS Member States. Through this mechanism, Spain has established itself as one of the Organization's principal external donors and as a strategic partner in advancing shared priorities across the hemisphere.
The anniversary was commemorated during a meeting of the OAS Permanent Council, where the impact of the Fund and the depth of the relationship among Spain, the Organization, and its Member States were recognized.
OAS Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin highlighted Spain's significant role in strengthening regional cooperation. "For two decades, Spain has distinguished itself as one of the OAS's most steadfast and reliable partners, demonstrating that true commitment is measured not only in resources, but also in consistency, trust, and a shared investment in the future of the peoples of the Americas," he said.
For his part, the Chair of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) and Ambassador of Uruguay, Edison Lanza, stated that since its establishment, FEPO has played a fundamental role in strengthening democratic governance, institutional development, and the promotion of the principles underpinning the Inter-American system. "Its trajectory demonstrates the positive impact of cooperation based on trust, solidarity, and commitment to the values of multilateralism," Ambassador Lanza added.
Through a video message, Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, affirmed that "together we can build fair, safe, and free societies. Twenty years later, the Spain-OAS Fund is more than a fund. It is a living partnership that transforms lives, strengthens institutions, and sows hope throughout the region. It is also a promise for the future: that we will continue walking together in support of democracy, human rights, and peace in the Americas."
Meanwhile, Spain's Permanent Observer to the OAS, Carmen Montón, emphasized that through the FEPO, collaboration between the OAS and Spain is based on "horizontal, transparent, and results-oriented cooperation." The Spanish diplomat noted that "this is a model sustained over time that has become a best practice" and demonstrates "that Spain trusts the OAS and is committed to multilateralism."
Spain has been the dean of the OAS Permanent Observers since 1972 and has remained one of the Organization's closest and most consistent partners. This relationship was further strengthened in 2006 with the creation of the Spanish Fund for the OAS, supported by annual contributions aimed at deepening cooperation between Spain and the OAS for the benefit of the countries of the region.
Over the past two decades, Spanish contributions have supported initiatives across the OAS's four pillars. In the area of democracy, FEPO has supported Electoral Observation Missions, helping strengthen public confidence in the region's electoral and democratic processes. It has also promoted women's political participation through initiatives of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), fostering a more inclusive and representative democracy. In the area of peacebuilding, the Fund has contributed to the work of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone between Belize and Guatemala, supporting confidence-building measures and promoting peaceful coexistence between the populations of both countries. It has also supported the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP/OAS), contributing to peace consolidation in communities historically affected by conflict.
Spanish support has also strengthened multidimensional security throughout the hemisphere through comprehensive mine action programs, digital security initiatives, border management efforts, counterterrorism measures, and regional cooperation to address emerging threats. In the areas of human rights and integral development, Spain has contributed to strengthening the Inter-American Human Rights System by supporting the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and the Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights (REDESCA). It has also supported initiatives aimed at expanding access to justice for vulnerable populations, strengthening the rights of people of African descent, and improving protection for refugees and displaced persons.
In 2025, Spain made its most recent contribution to FEPO in the amount of €2 million, supporting nine initiatives currently being implemented throughout the Hemisphere. In addition, this past April, Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin and Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares signed a new agreement in Madrid establishing an annual high-level political dialogue. Within the framework of this dialogue, areas of cooperation between Spain and the OAS were reviewed, and a roadmap for the coming years was defined. This high-level political dialogue also included participation from officials of the Government of Spain whose portfolios cooperate with the OAS in areas such as democracy, security, human rights, women's political participation in democracy, and telecommunications, among others.
In 2021, Spain supported the OAS Fund for the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS) with a pioneering contribution of €1 million, strengthening the capacity of Central American countries and Mexico to respond to forced displacement and provide employment and livelihood opportunities for vulnerable populations. In addition, Spanish support has advanced initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for historically excluded and vulnerable populations throughout the Americas.
Twenty years after its creation, the Spanish Fund for the OAS has become a model of effective, reliable, sustained, and results-oriented cooperation. For the OAS, this partnership exemplifies the power of multilateralism and the value of international cooperation in promoting peace, strengthening democratic stability, and addressing the development challenges and opportunities facing the Americas.
Reference: E-073/26
