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Highlights (also available in Hebrew)

Israel signed the Convention founding the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on 7 September 2010, thereby pledging its full dedication to achieving the Organisation’s fundamental aims.

 

Israel has, on many occasions, expressed its interest in OECD membership. In March 2006, the Israeli government pressed its case for accession by publishing a report entitled Israel, Ready for the OECD, aimed at evaluating Israel’s compliance with OECD’s standards for multilateral co-operation. An updated version of this report was published in April 2007. The OECD Council at Ministerial level adopted a resolution on 16 May 2007 to open discussions with Israel for its membership of the Organisation. On 30 November 2007, the OECD Council approved the roadmap to accession for Israel, as well as four other prospective new members. On 10 May 2010, OECD countries issued an invitation to Israel to become a member of the OECD.

Left to right): Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General, Orit Noked, Deputy Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor, Nimrod Barkan, Israeli Ambassador to Multilateral Organizations and Israeli Ambassador to France, Daniel Shek after the signature of the Accession Agreement in Paris, 29 June 2010 (OECD photo)

What does the permanent delegation do?

Like all the member countries, the Israel government maintains a permanent delegation to the OECD, composed of an ambassador and diplomats. As a member of the Council, Israel's ambassador, in consultation with his peers, agrees the programme of work which is described in the annual report and establishes the volume of the annual budget, contributions being assessed according to the relative size of each country’s economy. 

 

Members of the Israeli Delegation monitor the work of the OECD’s various committees as well as the activities of the Development Centre of which Israel is a member.

 

Delegations thus play a vital communication role in providing liaison between the OECD Secretariat and national authorities. They represent their governments’ positions in multilateral negotiations, indicate areas in which their governments seek OECD expertise and endeavour to help disseminate OECD recommendations in their respective countries. In doing so, they ensure that there is a good fit between OECD work and the issues of concern in their country.


Areas of work

Policy reviews of Israel have been undertaken in the fields of investment and education. Israel has also participated actively in several of the OECD Global Forums including those on knowledge-based economies, trade, taxation and governance.

 

Israel’s participation in OECD general activities

Israel signed the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises in September 2002. Israel was invited in December 2004 to adhere to the Council Acts related to the Mutual Acceptance of Data in the Assessment of Chemicals and to participate as a full member in that part of the OECD Chemicals Programme directly related thereto. On 11 March 2009, Israel became the 38th signatory of the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. Israel has been a member of the OECD Development Centre since February 2008 and it is a regular observer in several OECD committees and working groups. Israeli Ministers also participate in sessions of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.  Furthermore, Israel participates in the Bologna Process and in PISA.

 

What are the benefits of OECD membership?

The benefits for countries are many. Through its country surveys and comparable statistical and economic data, the OECD provides its member countries tools with which to analyse and monitor their economic, social and environmental policies. Countries can draw on the OECD’s reservoir of expertise, including peer reviews, and they can access all of the research and analysis conducted by the Secretariat. Covering the full economic and social spectrum, this work could not be carried out by any one country alone.

In addition to its economic intelligence functions, the OECD is above all a forum within which countries can discuss and share national experience, identify best practices and find solutions to common problems. The OECD having working relationships with over 70 non-member economies, members benefit from dialogue and consultations with all players on the world scene, in a context of increased interdependence that demands global rules of the game.

 

>> Consult the background information note and Israel's accession to the OECD for information on Israel's accession process.


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