Created at the request of MENA countries in 2005, the Initiative facilitates co-operation between the OECD and the MENA region to promote policies for sustainable and inclusive growth. It brings together MENA and OECD governments, the international community, civil society and the private sector to address regional needs and development priorities, including the integration of women and youth through jobs and greater participation in policy making. It also takes into account the region’s diversity by providing targeted support to individual countries.

The Initiative builds on the OECD’s work method of policy dialogue, exchange of good practices and capacity building for the implementation of reforms.

MENA-OECD Governance Programme

The Governance Programme supports public sector reforms in view of unlocking social and economic development and of meeting citizens’ growing expectations in terms of quality services, inclusive policy making and transparency.

Read about the Programme

MENA-OECD Competitiveness Programme

The Competitiveness Programme supports reforms to mobilise investment, private sector development and entrepreneurship as driving forces for inclusive growth and employment in the MENA region, building also on the need to mainstream the region’s increasingly well trained youth and women. 

Read about the Programme

SAVE THE DATE!

Launch of the MENA-OECD Business Advisory Board (BAB)

20-21 September 2018 | Madrid, Spain

The launch event will bring together leading business associations, chambers of commerce and other private sector networks from both MENA and OECD countries to define the specific needs of the region and what successful examples can be applied. 

• Agenda
  
• Read about the BAB

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The overall strategic goal of the Initiative is to build dialogue, trust and stability in support of inclusive, sustainable and competitive economies. The Ministerial Declaration of Tunis, adopted on 4 October 2016, provides strategic responses to achieve this goal. It reflects a common understanding of economic and governance challenges, and sets guiding principles and mutual commitments for collaboration between MENA and OECD countries for the next mandate of the Initiative (2016-2020).  

• Read about the 2016 Ministerial
• Read the Tunis Declaration English | French | Arabic

The Initiative covers Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.