The 'Centre of Government' is the body that provides direct support and advice to the Head of Government and the Council of Ministers,

for example:

• Heads of Prime Minister's Offices
• Cabinet Secretaries
• Secretaries- General of the Government

The CoG meetings began in the 1980s, and were consolidated into an annual event in the 1990s.  CoG constitutes a forum for informal discussion and remain one of the OECD’s highest-level policy networks.

Objectives
___________

The meetings serve three main purposes:

1. To review issues of how to make the centre of national government work more effectively;
   
   
2. To achieve a more in-depth understanding of decision and policymaking systems in the host country.
   
   
3. To work on broad governance issues fundamental to achieving economic and social public policy objectives.

The meetings are hosted each year by one of the members of the network.

Recent meetings
_________________

2011 Canada

Effective Responses to Modern Challenges

• Agenda 
• Brochure 

2010 Berlin

Future Growth, Fiscal Consolidation and Implementation

• Agenda 
• Session notes

2009 Paris

Managing the Crisis:  From Recovery Policies to Long-term Reforms

• Agenda

2008 Mexico

Political Economy of Reform: Ensuring Stakeholder Support

• Agenda

2007 Berne

Strengthening Public Trust by Delivering on Promises: What Role for the Centre?

• Agenda 

2006 Vienna

Leadership in Managing Risk

• Agenda