The General Conference is the supreme body of OPANAL, it is made up of all the Contracting Parties, that is, all the 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, and holds ordinary meetings every two years, and may also hold extraordinary meetings, whenever provided for in the Treaty of Tlatelolco, or when circumstances so advise in the opinion of the Council.
Among the powers of the General Conference are:
The study and decision on any issue or matter established in the Treaty of Tlatelolco, including those that refer to the powers and functions of any Body;
- Establish procedures to ensure compliance with the Control System established in the Treaty;
- Elect Council Members;
- Elect the Secretary General and may remove him/her from office;
- Receive and consider biennial and special reports presented by the Council and the Secretary General;
- Initiate and consider studies designed to facilitate optimal compliance with the purposes of the Treaty, without prejudice to the powers of the Secretary General;
- Authorize the conclusion of agreements with Governments and International Organizations;
- Approve the annual budget of the Agency and establishes the scale of financial contributions to be covered by the Member States;
- Choose the authorities for each Period of Sessions and establishes any subsidiary body that is considered necessary;
- Approve your own Regulation;