External Relations Committee

Proceeding under the direction of the Council, the External Relations Committee (ERC) is one of three Standing Committees (Executive Committee, Budget Committee) that are in charge of operational issues of the Council. According to the new governance structure of the OECD (entered into force on June 1, 2006), the External Relations Committee replaces the Committee for Co-operation with Non-Members (CCN) which was founded in 1997 to promote and co-ordinate OECD’s policy dialogue and co-operation with non-members. While maintaining the principal functions and responsibilities of the CCN, the External Relations Committee also has a new decision making role.

Mandate

Assist the Council in preparing for its discussions and decisions on strategies, policies and guidelines on external relations and relations with non-members and international organisations, including conditions of their participation in the work of the Organisation;
Monitor the implementation of these decisions and advise the Council;
Advise the Council on the co-ordination of activities and programmes with non-members;
Assist the Council in ensuring that the global relations of the Organisation are taken into account in the preparation of the Programme of Work and Budget;
Carry out any functions delegated to it by Council, and report to it as appropriate.

The External Relations Committee is currently chaired by the Dutch Ambassador Joan Boer. The Committee's Vice-Chairs are Mr. Brendan Berne, Australian's Deputy Permanent Representative to the OECD and the French Conseiller Mr. Jean-Jacques Hervé.