Participation of non-members

Article 1 of the OECD Convention sets out three principle aims for the Organisation, one of which is "to contribute to sound economic expansion in member as well as non-member countries in the process of economic development". Back in the early 1960s when the Convention was signed, OECD economies encompassed a vast share of world production and trade. However, as more countries join the global economy, the OECD must strengthen its links with countries and economies outside the Organisation if it is to retain its influence on the world stage.

So, while engagement with non-members has always been important to the Organisation, since the early 1990s, its importance has increased in a number of ways: the accession of new members, enhanced engagement; observerships and full participation in subsidiary bodies.

Accession

In contrast to many international organisations, becoming a member of the OECD is not an automatic process. The Member countries of the Organisation, meeting in its governing body (the Council) decide whether a country should be invited to join the OECD and on what conditions. This decision is taken at the end of what's called "the accession process". Since 1994 six countries have joined the OECD at the end of this process: Mexico (1994), the Czech Republic (1995), Hungary (1996), Poland (1996), Korea (1996) and the Slovak Republic (2000).

As a result of the May 2007 Council Meeting at Ministerial Level, the Organisation is currently involved in accession negociations with Chile, Estonia, Israel, the Russian Federation and Slovenia (Council Resolution on Enlargement and Enhanced Engagement, pdf, 93kb). The terms, conditions and process for the accession of each of these countries to the OECD prior to consideration and adoption by Council are set out in Roadmaps for each country: Chile (pdf, 266 kb), Estonia (pdf, 265 kb), Israel (pdf, 266 kb), the Russian Federation (pdf, 268 kb) and Slovenia (pdf, 267 kb).

Enhanced Engagement

At the May 2007 Ministerial Meeting, the Council also agreed to strengthen co-operation with Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa through enhanced engagement programmes, with a view to possible membership. The Council will determine whether to open discussions on membership in light of the willingness, preparedness and ability of these countries to adopt OECD practices, policies and standards (Council Resolution on Enlargement and Enhanced Engagement, pdf, 93 kb).

Other Types of Participation

There is no official status of "Observer to the OECD". However, subject to certain conditions and with the approval of the OECD Council, it is possible for non-members to participate in almost all OECD bodies as observers or as full participants. However, full participation is not envisaged for the Council and the bodies assisting it.The initiative to invite non-members lies with the Organisation and their participation in formal OECD bodies is regularly monitored and assessed by the Committees. On this basis, more than 20 non-members currently participate as regular observers or full participants in at least one OECD Committee.

The modalities of non-member participation are set out in the Resolution of the Council concerning the Participation of Non-Members in the Work of Subsidiary Bodies of the Organisation (pdf, 38 kb).

Observers

"Regular observers" are invited to attend the meetings of a subsidiary body on the basis of active participation and full co-operation. Invitations are generally issued for a two-year period and should relate to a Committee's mandate and programme of work. Invitations can be extended by the Council, again generally for two-year periods. Regular observers make an appropriate financial contribution to the expenses of the Organisation.

Ad hoc invitations to attend as observer at one or more meetings, or relevant parts thereof should be issued only for individual meetings, and only if so required by specific items on the meeting's agenda. Ad hoc observers are expected to contribute to the discussion. An ad hoc observer may be invited, for example, for a preliminary policy exchange or a country review.

Full participation

Full participation is generally only accorded to a non-member willing and able to comply with the relevant disciplines of the Organisation, and if full participation would provide greater mutual benefit than observership. Such participation is usually confined to specific programmes, schemes or to certain of the Organisation's legal instruments.

Within the Secretariat, the Centre for Co-operation with Non-Members (CCNM)
develops and oversees the strategic orientations
of the OECD's global relations with non-members.