Observe · Regulate · Protect — since 2007. 19th OIMAP General Assembly: Singapore, 10–12 June 2026. Programme
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The General Assembly

The supreme body of OIMAP: composition, powers, voting rules and conduct of a session.

Updated : October 28, 2026· 3 min read

The supreme body of the Organization

The Pyramid of Cestius, Rome, Michiel van Overbeek (c. 1650–80)
The Pyramid of Cestius, Rome, Michiel van Overbeek (c. 1650–80)

The General Assembly brings together the 67 Member States, each with one vote. It meets in ordinary session once a year, and in extraordinary session when needed.

It elects the Executive Council and the Secretary-General, adopts the budget and may amend the Statutes.

  • General Assembly
  • Vote
  • Session

The General Assembly in figures

67Votes
19thSession in 2026
2/3Majority for major questions
3Session days (indicative)

Source: OIMAP General Secretariat.

Breakdown

Budget and financeAdoption
StandardsDirectives
ElectionsCouncil, Secretary-General
AdmissionsNew members
ReportsActivity

Indicative breakdown of the agenda.

Composition and delegations

Each Member State sends a delegation, led by a head of delegation authorized to vote. The size of the delegation is unrestricted, but only one vote is cast per State.

Observers, whether international organizations or candidate States, may attend public sessions without the right to vote.

The Victory Banquet: from Battle Scenes of the Quelling of Rebellions in the Western Regions, with Imperial Poems (c. 1765–74; poem dated 1760)
The Victory Banquet: from Battle Scenes of the Quelling of Rebellions in the Western Regions, with Imperial Poems (c. 1765–74; poem dated 1760)
Portrait of a Woman, Corneille de Lyon (c. 1540)
Portrait of a Woman, Corneille de Lyon (c. 1540)
Coronation of the Virgin, Christoffel Jegher (1632–36)
Coronation of the Virgin, Christoffel Jegher (1632–36)

Powers

The Assembly defines the general guidelines, adopts the budget, elects the members of the Executive Council and the Secretary-General, admits new States and may suspend a member.

It also adopts binding directives, after examination by the competent committee and the opinion of the Executive Council.

Voting rules

Practice favors consensus. Failing that, ordinary decisions are taken by simple majority of the States present and voting. Major questions require a two-thirds majority.

Voting is by show of hands, or by secret ballot for elections and at the request of a delegation supported by several others.

Conduct of a session

A session comprises an opening ceremony, plenary meetings, regional group meetings and a closing meeting. The Secretary-General presents his or her report, and the chair of the Council reports on the work of the executive.

Proceedings are conducted in the three official languages, with simultaneous interpretation.

A typical session

Indicative three-day programme
SequenceContentDuration (indicative)
OpeningSpeeches, verification of credentialsHalf a day
Plenary sessionsReport, accounts, budget1 day
Regional groupsConsultation by regionHalf a day
VotesGuidelines, admissions, electionsHalf a day
ClosingAdoption of the minutesHalf a day

Milestones

  1. Constitutive session

    First meeting of the founding States.

  2. 10th session

    Adoption of the code of conduct (indicative).

  3. 14th session

    Adoption of the OIMAP Guidelines (indicative).

  4. 19th session

    Singapore, 10–12 June.

Delegates' credentials

Egypt and Nubia, Volume I: The Great Temple of Aboo-Simble, Nubia, Louis Haghe (1846)
Egypt and Nubia, Volume I: The Great Temple of Aboo-Simble, Nubia, Louis Haghe (1846)
The Dance at the Court of Herod, Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1500)
The Dance at the Court of Herod, Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1500)
Portrait of a Man, Louis Lafitte (1793)
Portrait of a Man, Louis Lafitte (1793)

Ordinary or major vote

Pair of Drawings: Sketch of the Labyrinth of the Villa Pisani and Piazza San Marco with Doges' Palace, Francesco Guardi (1773–1778(?))

Ordinary matters

Simple majority
  • Current budget
  • Reports
  • Procedural resolutions

Quick decision.

Maharaja of Kotah Listening to Music and Watching Dancers (c. 1820)

Major matters

Two thirds
  • Statutes
  • Admissions
  • Directives
  • Election of the Secretary-General

Broad consensus.

Preparing for a session

  1. Receipt of documents

    Four weeks beforehand.

  2. Regional consultation

    Common positions.

  3. Accreditation

    Submission of credentials.

  4. Participation

    Sittings and votes.

  5. Follow-up

    Implementation of decisions.

For a delegation

A head of delegation

Nowshera, Kashmir (number 1000), Samuel Bourne (1864)
« Regional preparation matters as much as the session itself: this is where compromises are built. »
Yuki Tanabe, head of delegation (example)

Vocabulary

Plenary
Sitting bringing together all delegations.
Credentials
Documents that authorise a delegate.
Observer
Participant without voting rights.
Resolution
Text adopted by the Assembly.

The 19th session in Singapore

The 19th General Assembly will be held in Singapore from 10 to 12 June 2026, hosted by the Asia-Pacific office. The agenda includes the adoption of the accounts, the activity report and the review of membership applications.

Session documents are sent to delegations at least four weeks before the opening (indicative).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the session held?

The venue is set by the previous Assembly; Singapore in 2026.

Can the proceedings be followed?

Public sittings are broadcast.

Who chairs?

A chair elected for the session.

How do I apply?

See Joining.

Useful Documents

Contacts

View of the Château of Pierrefonds, François-Louis Français (c. 1870)
View of the Château of Pierrefonds, François-Louis Français (c. 1870)
General SecretariatParis — Headquarters+33 1 00 00 00 00secretariat@oimap.exampleMonday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

See the Executive Council

Portrait of a Woman, Anna Claypoole Peale (1820)

The body that prepares decisions.

Executive Council
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