Public Affairs

OECD attaches great importance to co-operation with a broad range of stakeholders, who make an important contribution to its work. OECD public affairs activities engage the full range of stakeholders business, labourparliamentarianscivil society and the general public. This co-operation builds trust in public institutions and promotes understanding of economic and social change. Find out more.

What's new

Les Echos Conférences : Economie - Santé 2009

from 02-Nov-2009 to 20-Nov-2009

Les Echos Conférences, an OECD Forum partner, is organising a conference entitled " Réforme du système de santé : quelles solutions face aux déséquilibres ?" that will take place at the Palais des Congrès on 18-19 November.

Fifth Annual Conference OECD-CEPII - Developing Countries and the Global Crisis, 26-27 November, OECD Conference Centre, Paris

from 02-Nov-2009 to 28-Nov-2009

At a time when global economy is showing its early signs of recovery, the OECD, the CEPII and its business Club, under the auspices of the OECD Development Centre, are organizing their 5th joint conference entitled "Developing Countries and the Global Crisis" which will take place at the OECD Conference Centre, Paris, on 26-27 November 2009.

Economic Survey of Ireland 2009 (Policy Brief)

04-Nov-2009

The Irish economy plunged into a severe recession in 2008, following
a period of unsustainable growth. Housing investment has slumped and
large internal economic imbalances are unwinding, with the effect on
demand compounded by the international financial crisis and global
slowdown. The adjustment, which is underway, will be prolonged and
the economic recovery weak. Irish banks have come under severe
pressure, and major support from the government has been required.

Economic Survey of Denmark 2009 (Policy Brief)

05-Nov-2009

The Danish economy has been suffering during the global crisis but beyond
the projected cyclical recovery it will need to restore sustained robust growth.
While the level of national income is high, the gap vis-à-vis the leading OECD
countries has widened somewhat over the past decade. GDP gains have been
driven primarily by rising labour utilisation, related to the evolution of the
“flexicurity” model, with increases in both the share of the population in
work and average hours worked. At the same time, however, productivity has
been slowing down.

Bridging the Gaps between Levels of Government (Policy Brief)

16-Oct-2009

Managing relations between different levels of government is a necessity,
since almost all countries are decentralised to one degree or another. In a
time of economic crisis, it is crucial that these different levels of government
work together effectively, as governments are having to do more, including
implementing stimulus packages, with less. In OECD countries, sub-national
authorities are responsible for an average of 60% of public investment, yet
the finances of many sub-national authorities are severely strained.

Fighting Bribery in International Business Deals (Policy Brief)

13-Oct-2009

Bribing public officials to obtain advantages in international business raises
serious moral and political concerns, undermines good governance and
sustainable economic development, and distorts international competition.
For more than a decade, the OECD has played a leading role in the battle
against bribery and corruption in international business.

Health: Improving Policy Coherence for Development (Policy Brief)

07-Oct-2009

The cost of treating disease is vastly greater than the cost of controlling
or preventing disease. In a time of global recession, the disparity in health
outcomes between developed and developing countries will most likely
widen. The rapid expansion in trade, foreign investment and international
travel mean that infectious diseases can have adverse effects not only on
health but also on economic growth and security.

The Benefits of Long-term Fiscal Projections (Policy Brief)

06-Oct-2009

Fiscal sustainability is a multi-dimensional concept that incorporates
an assessment of solvency, stable economic growth, stable taxes, and
intergenerational fairness. It has not only financial implications but also social
and political ones related to both present and future generations. The current
economic crisis has weakened the fiscal health of many countries around the
world.

High-level Parliamentary Seminar "Beyond the Crisis: Sustainable Recovery and Jobs"

on 01-Oct-2009

An opportunity for parliamentarians and legislators to exchange views with their colleagues and OECD experts on the issues of rising unemployment, falling pension assets, and rising tax burdens. The stimulus packages are starting to take hold, and we are starting to see so-called “green shoots”, but will they last? The OECD has been at the centre of developing a strategic response which aims to address the crisis and seize the opportunity to build a stronger, cleaner, fairer world economy.

Economic Survey of Japan 2009 (Policy Brief)

30-Sep-2009

In the context of the global economic crisis, the Japanese economy has fallen into its deepest recession of the post-war era. Output is projected to contract by around 6% in 2009, reflecting a plunge in exports and tighter financial conditions. Prompt action by the authorities to stabilise financial markets, cut the policy interest rate and implement large-scale fiscal stimulus is cushioning the blow and sets the stage for a mild recovery, against the backdrop of a projected sluggish rebound in world trade.

Economic Survey of the European Union 2009 (Policy Brief)

24-Sep-2009

The European Union is facing severe challenges from the financial crisis and the worst global recession in the past fifty years. The Community has responded to the crisis proactively, consistent with the broad framework for policy actions provided by the European Economic Recovery Plan. Actions have been taken to stabilise financial markets and support the economy. An ambitious agenda for financial services reform is underway to improve macro- and micro-prudential regulation and supervision, and the ECB has cut its policy rate significantly.

In-Work Poverty: What Can Governments Do? (Policy Brief)

16-Sep-2009

While work is often the best pathway out of poverty, employment does not
always guarantee an adequate living standard. At the outset of the current
economic downturn, the risk of in-work poverty was significant in most
OECD countries.

Helping Workers Weather the Economic Storm (Policy Brief)

16-Sep-2009

The world economy is in a severe economic downturn with potentially
dire consequences for workers and their families. The ultimate dimensions
of this crisis are not yet known, but it is already clear that it will be the
deepest recession of the post-war era for the OECD area, with the average
unemployment rate heading toward an all-time high of nearly 10% at the end
of 2010. While the recession appears to be slowing, the recovery is expected
to be initially weak; and history shows that unemployment is slow to recede,
even once an economic recovery is under way.

Economic Survey of Iceland, 2009 (Policy Brief)

02-Sep-2009

Iceland has been struck by a banking crisis of unprecedented proportions and the economy has plunged into a deep recession. The plight of the banking system was in part the consequence of the shutdown of global capital markets. But Icelandic banks’ aggressive expansion strategies in an atmosphere of ineffective supervision rendered them highly vulnerable. Faced with events having potentially dire economic and social consequences, the government sought the assistance of the international community in support of the medium-term adjustment programme to restore policy credibility and growth.

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