SGELEG › Participation of non-members and Accession Process
Participation of non-members and Accession Process
Other Types of Participation: Partnerships in OECD Bodies
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.
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 ten countries have joined the OECD at the end of this process: Mexico (1994), the Czech Republic (1995), Hungary (1996), Poland (1996), Korea (1996), the Slovak Republic (2000), Chile (2010), Israel (2010), Slovenia (2010) and Estonia (2010).
At its May 2007 Council Meeting at Ministerial Level, the Organisation decided to open 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). Four of these countries have now become Members of the Organisation:
|
|
Council Invitation to Accede to the Convention |
Signature of Accession Agreement |
Membership (*) |
|
Chile |
15 December 2009 |
11 January 2010 |
|
|
Slovenia |
10 May 2010 |
1 June 2010 |
|
|
Israel |
10 May 2010 |
29 June 2010 |
|
|
Estonia |
10 May 2010 |
3 June 2010 |
(*) Upon the deposit of the country's instrument of accession to the OECD Convention the same day
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 : Partnerships in OECD Bodies
It is possible for non-members to participate in almost all OECD bodies. The modalities of non-member participation are set out in the Resolution of the Council on Parnerships in OECD Bodies C(2012)100/FINAL (pdf, 232 kb).
The approval of the participation of non-members lies with the Organisation and their participation in OECD bodies is regularly monitored and assessed by the Committees.
Non-members participating in the work of one or more OECD bodies are refered to as Partners. They may be invited to participate in the work of these bodies as Invitee, Participant or Associate in accordance with the bodies’ Global Relations Strategies and the provisions of this Resolution.
Invitees may be invited to participate in individual meetings of subsidiary bodies. They are expected to contribute to the fulfilment of the body’s mandate and programme of work by attending the meetings to which they are invited and by contributing to the discussion.
Participants
Participants are invited to attend all meetings of a subsidiary body for an open-ended period subject to the conditions set in the Rules of Procedure, in the Resolution C(2012)100/FINAL and in the invitation. They are required to be able and willing to contribute substantially to the fulfilment of the body’s mandate and programme of work through their active participation in its meetings and its work, including by providing the information which the body may require.
Associates are invited to attend all meetings of a subsidiary body for an open-ended period, unless provided otherwise. In addition to the requirements for Participants, they are required to demonstrate their commitment to the body’s goals and practices and to provide any statistical information that may be required for the body’s databases. Invitations as Associates shall be based on an assessment of the candidate’s policies and of its commitment to this body’s goals, practices and high standards, demonstrated by these policies and by its adherence to at least the legal instruments defined for this purpose.
Within the Secretariat, the Global Relations Secretariat (GRS) develops and oversees the strategic orientations of the OECD's global relations with non-members.