Our Mission
The mission of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to devise, implement and promote policies designed to improve the economic and social well-being of the world's citizens.
The OECD is the "go to" organization for leading efforts essential to economic growth, global competitiveness and good governance. Created out of the vision of the United States as part of the Marshall Plan and Bretton Woods agreements, it is a forum in which governments can work together to share and compare public policy experiences, and seek solutions to common problems.
We work with governments to understand what drives economic, social and environmental change. We measure productivity and global flows of trade and investment. We analyze and compare data to predict future trends. We set international standards ranging from the safety of chemicals and nuclear power plants to the quality of cucumbers.
We also look at issues directly affecting everyday lives such as taxes and social security, or even leisure time. We compare how different countries’ school systems are readying their young people for modern life, and how different countries’ pension systems will look after their citizens in old age.
We work with both the business and labor communities through the OECD Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) and the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC), as well as with a range of other civil society organizations. The common thread of our work is a shared commitment to market economies and democratic governance, focusing on improving the lives of all citizens. We also act as an important catalyst for policies and standards that are essential tools in identifying corporate malefactors, tax dodgers and even terrorists whose actions undermine fair and open societies.
The OECD at 50
|
Now, as the OECD turns 50, we are focusing on helping governments in our member countries and elsewhere in four main areas:
- First and foremost, governments need to restore confidence in markets and the institutions and companies that make them function. That will require improved regulation and more effective governance at all levels of political and business life.
- Secondly, governments must re-establish healthy public finances as a basis for future sustainable economic growth.
- In parallel, we are looking for ways to foster and support new sources of growth through innovation, environmentally friendly ‘green growth’ strategies and the development of emerging economies.
- Finally, to underpin innovation and growth, we need to ensure that people of all ages can develop the skills to work productively and satisfyingly in the jobs of tomorrow.
|
|
Commemoration Ceremony
Listen to what Leaders said
Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State
François Fillon, Prime Minister, France (in French)
Naoto Kan, Prime Minister, Japan
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission
Find out more about OECD Week 2011 |
|
The OECD’s core values
- Objective: Our analyses and recommendations are independent and evidence-based.
- Open: We encourage debate and a shared understanding of critical global issues.
- Bold: We dare to challenge conventional wisdom starting with our own.
- Pioneering: We identify and address emerging and long term challenges.
- Ethical: Our credibility is built on trust, integrity and transparency.
|
|
