Flag of the Union of South American Nations

The flag of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) is a modern symbol of regional integration and solidarity. While the organization's political activities have faced challenges, the flag remains a powerful visual representation of the shared aspirations for unity, cooperation, and a common identity among the nations of South America. Its design is both simple and meaningful, reflecting the geographical and cultural connections that bind the continent. The flag was officially adopted at the organization's founding summit in 2008.

Design and Symbolism

The flag of UNASUR features a prominent and symbolic design on a blue background. The emblem consists of several white, stylized, interlocking lines.

• Blue Field: The background of the flag is a deep blue color, which symbolizes the skies and the vast oceans that surround the continent. This color represents peace, stability, and the shared environment that all South American nations inhabit.

• Emblem of White Lines: At the center of the flag is an emblem composed of several white, stylized, interlocking lines. This emblem represents the geographical shape of South America in a dynamic and modern way. The interconnected lines symbolize the unity and integration of the member nations, suggesting a seamless bond between them.

• White Color: The white color of the emblem stands for peace and transparency, reflecting the organization's goal of fostering a harmonious and cooperative environment among its members.

Dimensions and Proportions

While there is no single universally standardized dimension for all flags, common proportions for the UNASUR flag are often 2:3 or 3:5. For example, a common size available for sale is 120x180cm, which has a ratio of 2:3. The flag's original nominal size in its SVG file is 900x600 pixels, which also gives a 2:3 ratio.

History of Creation and Adoption

The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) was formally established on May 23, 2008, with the signing of its constitutive treaty in Brasília. The flag was officially adopted at the organization's founding summit. The design was chosen to represent a new era of South American unity and political autonomy. It was developed to be distinct from the national flags of the member states, emphasizing the organization's role as a supra-national body promoting regional interests and a collective identity. The adoption of the flag was a key step in creating a recognizable visual brand for UNASUR and a symbol for its mission of political, economic, and social integration. The founding treaty of UNASUR was inspired by the Cuzco Declaration of 2004, which established the South American Community of Nations (SACN). The UNASUR treaty needed to be ratified by nine of the twelve member nations to become legally binding, and this was achieved in March 2011, when the document came into force.

Countries of the Region

UNASUR was originally founded by 12 sovereign states in South America. The full member countries were: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Since 2018, several member countries have suspended their membership or withdrawn from the organization due to political disagreements, leading to a significant reduction in its active participation. Argentina and Brazil, however, rejoined UNASUR in 2023.

Interesting Facts

• The stylized emblem in the center of the flag is a conceptual representation of the South American continent, not a literal map, designed to emphasize unity and dynamic movement.

• The flag was a prominent feature at UNASUR's headquarters in Quito, Ecuador, known as the "Néstor Kirchner Building".

• The blue color of the flag is similar to that of the flag of Mercosur, another major regional organization in South America, suggesting a common theme of regional cooperation.

• The flag was particularly visible during the organization's most active years, from its founding until the late 2010s, when it played a key role in regional diplomacy and conflict resolution.

• The creation of UNASUR was an attempt to create a united South America and consolidate countries with different political orientations.

In the demonstration images, full-size flags are shown with proportions of 2:3, and hand-held flags with proportions of 1:2.