5. Pan American Health Organization

525 23d Street N.W., Washington, D.C.

Origin and development: The Pan American Health Organization had its origin in a resolution adopted at the Second International Conference of American States, held at Mexico City in 1901-02, which recommended the calling of periodic public health conferences of representatives of the American Republics and the creation of a permanent International Sanitary Bureau in Washington. As a result of this resolution, the First General International Sanitary Conference of the American Republics was held in Washington in December 1902; this Conference established the Bureau and defined its functions. In October 1905, at the Second Inter-American Sanitary Conference, the first Pan American International Sanitary Convention was concluded. This was the forerunner of the Pan American Sanitary Code of 1924. The same "International Sanitary Bureau" was changed to Pan American Sanitary Bureau in 1923.

At the Seventh Pan American Sanitary Conference, held in Havana in November 1924, a revised Pan American Sanitary Code was embodied in a new convention. This code was signed November 14, 1924, and entered into force on June 26, 1925. It broadened the scope of the Bureau's activities, outlined the obligations of member states to the Bureau and designated it as the central coordinating health agency of the member states of the Pan American Union.

The 12th Pan American Sanitary Conference, held in Caracas in January 1947, adopted the name "Pan American Sanitary Organization," approved a reorganization plan and agreed that the Organization should act as the regional agency of the World Health Organization. The Directing Council (which was set up by the 12th Conference) met in Buenos Aires in September 1947, and adopted a new constitution for the Organization.

At the 15th Pan American Sanitary Conference held in San Juan in September 1958, the name of the Organization was changed to Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to reflect more accurately the activities and purpose of the Organization.

PAHO was designated a specialized organization of the Organization of American States on May 23, 1950.

Initial date of U.S. participation: 1925.

Current authority for U.S. participation: The Pan American Sanitary Code, November 14, 1924, 44 Stat. 2031, TS 714.

Purpose of organization: The functions and objectives of the Pan American Health Organization include (1) a continuing attack on disease at its sources, in order to reduce or eliminate danger of transmission of disease and disease vectors in the Americas; (2) reduction or elimination of the necessity of costly quarantines; (3) stimulation and support of national health authorities in the Americas in their efforts to control disease, including assistance in connection with plan

ning and operation of special health projects; and (4) participation in and promotion of prompt reporting of existence of quarantinable disease. The Organization participates in the work of the World Health Organization by serving as regional office of that Organization in the Western Hemisphere.

Governing body: The Executive Committee is composed of nine members elected by the Directing Council or the Conference every fourth year, for overlapping terms of three years, two seats being filled in each of two successive years and three every third year. No member is eligible for immediate reelection. The Committee at the present time is composed of representatives of Barbados, El Salvador, Canada, Brazil, United States, Guyana, Honduras, Peru, and Venezuela.

6. Pan American Institute of Geography and History

Ex-Arzobispado 29, Mexico 18, D.F.

Origin and development: The Pan American Institute of Geography and History was created pursuant to a resolution of the Sixth International Conference of American States at Havana in 1928. This resolution was the culmination of proposals which had originally been made as early as 1903 and stemmed particularly from two related resolutions adopted by the Third Pan American Scientific Conference at Lima, in 1924, recommending that a Pan American Federation of Geographical Societies be constituted and that an Institute of Oceanography and Cartography be founded.

On January 12, 1949, the Institute entered into an agreement with the Organization of American States whereby it became an interAmerican specialized organization.

Initial date of U.S. participation: 1935.

Current authority for U.S. participation: 49 Stat. 512 (1935), as amended, 22 U.S.C., § 273.

Purpose of organization: The purpose of the Institute is (1) to develop, coordinate, and disseminate geographic, historical, and related scientific studies, and to initiate and execute investigations and activities pertaining thereto which the member states may request and (2) to promote cooperation between the geographic and historical institutes of the member states and other American organizations operating in these fields. It carries out this work through four committees: one in the field of cartography, one in geography, one in history, and one in geophysics.

Governing body: The Directing Council is made up of representatives of all member states, usually the chairmen of the respective national sections.

H. THE SPECIAL AGENCIES AND COMMISSIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES

The Special Agencies and Commissions of the OAS maintain an independent status within the Organization or enjoy technical and administrative autonomy, and collaborate with the major organs of the OAS to achieve specific objectives within established fields of common interest to the American Republics. There are four such agencies and commissions currently in existence.

Sources for Special Agencies and Commissions of the OAS: Department of State, Bureau of Inter-American Affairs, Permanent Mission of the United States to the Organization of American States.

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1. Inter-American Defense Board

2600 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Origin and development: Established March 30, 1942, at Washington, D.C., in compliance with a resolution of the Third Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics, held in Rio de Janeiro in January of that year. Reorganized in 1949 in accordance with a resolution of the Ninth International Conference of American States, which provided that the Board would continue its functions until such time as the American Governments, two-thirds majority, were to decide to abolish the Board.

Initial date of U.S. participation: March 30, 1942.

Current authority for U.S. participation: Resolutions VII and XXXIV of the Ninth International Conference of American States (Bogotá, March 30-May 2, 1948).

Purpose of organization: To study and recommend to the Governments of the American States the measures necessary for the collective self-defense of the hemisphere against aggression. The Board's principal regular activity is to prepare and maintain a General Military Plan and its several annexes-the only multinational plan which establishes the bases for military cooperation and coordination within the hemisphere. It also directs the Inter-American Defense College, which provides advanced training to selected military personnel from member countries at its Ft. McNair campus, Washington, D.C.

Governing body: Council of Delegates of the IADB, composed of delegations of officers of the armed forces appointed by the various Governments of the American States.

Membership: All members of the OAS except present government of

Cuba.

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