Union of South American Nations

The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 2008 to promote political, economic, and social integration among South American states.

Cusco Declaration: A 2004 declaration that proposed a South American Community of Nations and outlined regional integration goals. It set out the precursor project that UNASUR formalized in 2008.
UNASUR Council of Heads of State and Government: UNASUR's highest decision-making body, composed of the member states' heads of state or government. It set the organization's political direction through consensus among national leaders.
2010 South American diplomatic crisis: A dispute between Colombia and Venezuela in 2010 that prompted regional mediation and diplomatic efforts. UNASUR leaders helped de-escalate the dispute, demonstrating its crisis-diplomacy role.
Andean Community: A regional integration organization whose members cooperate on trade and related policies in the Andean region. Unlike this subregional bloc, UNASUR aimed to include nearly all South American states.
South American Community of Nations: A regional cooperation initiative launched in 2004 to bring together South American integration processes. UNASUR emerged by transforming this earlier community initiative.
UNASUR Council of Foreign Ministers: UNASUR's ministerial body responsible for implementing decisions and coordinating foreign policy cooperation. It translated leaders' decisions into intergovernmental coordination.
UNASUR mediation in Bolivia: UNASUR's diplomatic response to political violence in Bolivia in 2008, including a summit supporting constitutional order. It showed the organization acting collectively during a member state's domestic crisis.
Mercosur: A South American economic integration process centered on a customs union and regional trade. UNASUR pursued political and social cooperation beyond Mercosur's trade-centered agenda.
Brasilia Treaty: The 2008 treaty establishing the Union of South American Nations as an intergovernmental organization. It gave UNASUR its founding legal framework.
UNASUR General Secretariat: UNASUR's administrative organ, headed by a secretary-general and based in Quito, Ecuador. It provided the organization's standing administrative capacity.

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ALBARelated: It pursued regional autonomy through a broader South American membership.