The OECD International Futures Programme provides the Organisation with an early warning of emerging issues, pinpoints major developments, and analyses key long-term concerns to help governments map strategy. The Programme uses a variety of tools including multiyear projects, high-level conferences, expert workshops, and consultations; a futures-oriented online information system, and a network of contacts from government, industry, academia and civil society. For more information, please refer to the 2009 IFP's brochure .

What's new

The Future of Families to 2030

21-Dec-2011

This January 2012 publication aims to identify and examine trends in household and family structures over the next two decades and to explore the implications of those trends for key policy areas. This was by nature an experimental project, since very little international work had been conducted at the time on the theme of the future of families. It was an opportunity to apply foresight tools to a new, relatively unexplored subject area. Read more about it, and get a synthesis of key findings.

Main Findings - Strategic Transport Infrastructure Needs to 2030

24-Nov-2011

This report looks at whether international gateway ports and airports and their inland transport connections are adequate to meet future demand and proposes a set of policy options to enhance their contribution to economic and social development. Most of the gateway and corridor infrastructure currently in place could not handle a 50% increase, let alone a doubling or tripling of passengers and freight in 20 years. Many gateways need greater capacity to meet the projected increasing demand from 2010 to 2030. Greater inland transport capacity is needed to match additional gateway capacity.

New publication: The Space Economy at a Glance 2011

30-Jun-2011

This new publication paints an updated and richly detailed picture of the space industry, its downstream services activities, and its wider economic and social impacts. Read the key findings or get the full report.

Transition to Alternative Fuels and Infrastructure FAQ

01-Jul-2011

On 17 June 2011 the IFP, in cooperation with the IEA, held an experts’ meeting to consider the launch of an OECD project aimed at exploring the future infrastructure needs and economic/business models related to the production and distribution of alternative fuels.  More detail may be found in the FAQ

Inland Hubs - Austria Switzerland Case Study

08-Sep-2011

The OECD’s Strategic Transport Infrastructure Needs to 2030/2050 Project explores the future opportunities and challenges facing some key gateway areas and inland hubs.  Included in the project was a case study on Austria / Switzerland .

High North/Barents Area Case Study

08-Sep-2011


The High North/Barents Area workshop explored the future opportunities and challenges facing the development of strategic transport infrastructures in the northerly regions of Finland and Sweden and some of the other countries in this area. 

Turkey/Bosphorus Gateway Case Study

08-Sep-2011

This Istanbul Workshop focussed on three strategic infrastructure projects in Turkey (Marmaray, Mersin Container Port and Nabucco Gas pipeline) proposed for consideration by the Turkish authorities.

Pension Funds Investment in Infrastructure: A Survey

07-Sep-2011

The objective of this survey-based study was to understand the main problems encountered by pension funds when investing in infrastructure. In order to do so, a brief analysis of the evolution of the infrastructure and pension fund market in each selected country was undertaken. On the basis of the barriers to investment identified in the study some policy initiatives are proposed.

North-West Europe Gateway Area - Port of Rotterdam Case Study

05-Jul-2011

Case Study: North West Europe Gateway Area - Rotterdam Workshop The North West Europe Gateway Area work explores the future opportunities and challenges facing the key ports in this area – and the Port of Rotterdam in particular.

Case study – France’s gateway ports and inland connections

11-Jul-2011

Case study –  France’s gateway ports and inland connections – meeting with MEEDDM officials

Project on Future Global Shocks

17-Jan-2011

In this project, public and private experts explore how to increase resilience to Future Global Shocks. The Project will generate options for governments to enhance capacity to identify, anticipate, control, contain and/or mitigate large disasters. It recognises that shocks can provide opportunities for progress, not just negative consequences. Amongst the inputs from which the final report will draw are six background papers and case studies on the following themes: Systemic Financial Risk; Pandemics; Cyber Risks; Geomagnetic Storms; Social Unrest and Anticipating Extreme Events.

Presentation of the Review of the Italian National Civil Protection System

05-May-2010

Italy should enforce tougher restrictions on building in areas that risk earthquakes or forest fires and impose tougher sanctions on violations in the face of a growing threat of natural disasters due to climate change, according to the OECD Secretary-General presenting a new OECD report in Rome.

See more news and events… Top of page

NEW

This report paints an updated and richly detailed picture of the space industry, its downstream services activities, and its wider economic and social impacts.

The space economy at a glance 2011

Global Shocks

This report provides strategic advice on preparing for and responding to potential global shocks.

Future Global Shocks: Improving Risk Governance

INFRASTRUCTURE

What is the future viability of current infrastructure business models? This book presents policy recommendations.

Infrastructure to 2030 (Volume 2): Mapping Policy for Electricity, Water and Transport