Public Affairs

News & Events

OECD attaches great importance to co-operation with business, labour, parliamentarians, civil society and the general public. They make an important contribution to the work of the OECD. This co-operation builds trust in public institutions and promotes understanding of economic and social change.

News

Economic Survey of Canada, 2008 (Policy Brief)

11-Jun-2008

Canada’s economic performance has been among the best in the OECD as a sound policy framework has enabled the country to take advantage of strong global growth and soaring terms of trade. The economy has adapted well to recent shocks, as labour and capital have shifted rapidly from manufacturing towards the resource and service sectors, with strong net job increases.

Economic Survey of Poland, 2008 (Policy Brief)

11-Jun-2008

Poland has been catching up to the rest of the OECD more quickly in the past two years, thanks to strong growth performance. Substantial job creation has followed years of stagnation. Nonetheless, the economic boom has failed to draw inactive people into the labour market, and unemployment has plunged to below sustainable levels.

The Future of the Internet Economy (Policy Brief)

05-Jun-2008

The Internet has, in a short space of time, become fundamental to the global economy. More than a billion people worldwide use it, both at work and in their social lives. Over the past three decades it has grown from an experimental research network and now underpins a range of new economic activities as well as activities and infrastructures that support our economies, from financial markets and health services to energy and transport.

TUAC holds talks on union priorities concerning the OECD enlargement process

04-Jun-2008

Union leadership from the accession countries Chile, Estonia and Russia took part in the TUAC delegation that met the OECD Ministerial Council Bureau on 3 June.

Economic Survey of Finland, 2008 (Policy Brief)

03-Jun-2008

The Finnish economy has performed very well in recent years, with strong GDP growth in a low-inflation environment, rising employment and a sound fiscal position. Strong social safety nets and high education standards put the country in a good position to benefit from the opportunities of globalisation.

Making Trade Work for Developing Countries (Policy Brief)

23-May-2008

Adapting to change is vital for success in the modern global economy, for individuals, companies, industries and regions. New technologies breed new industries, and freer trade leads to new markets as well as global competition. “Structural adjustment” or adaptation to structural change is necessary for economies to reap the benefits of new technologies and emerging market opportunities.

Recent reports on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

07-May-2008

The Economics and Security Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly has recently released reports on Afghanistan, Russia, India, East Asia, Georgia and Moldova.

Agriculture: Improving Policy Coherence for Development (Policy Brief)

05-May-2008

Agriculture plays a central role in economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries. Although aid remains an important driver for development, including rural development, mutually supportive policies across a wide range of economic, social and environmental issues are needed to support development and poverty reduction.

Health and the Environment (Policy Brief)

07-Apr-2008

How much does the environment affect human health? Are air pollution and tainted water shortening our lives and those of our children? These questions have aroused increasing interest in recent years, particularly since the adoption of Agenda 21 at the UN Conference on Environment and Development, which drew the attention of policy makers to the links between health and the environment.

OECD Work on Climate Change - Compilation for Forum 2008

15-Feb-2008

• Climate change policies
• Putting climate change adaptation in the development mainstream
• Biofuels for transport
• Nuclear energy today
• The political economy of environmentally related taxes
• Making environmental spending count


Events

Ask the economists: The pensions challenge - financing retirement

from 29-Mar-2007 to 05-Apr-2007

Is there a perfect pension scheme? Do people understand their pension systems?
A live online question and answer session on the issue of pension reform took place on Thursday 5 April.

OECD High-level OECD Parliamentary Seminar on Migration

on 22-Feb-2007

Immigration pressures are increasing in most OECD countries, with some countries experiencing unprecedented waves of immigration and others tightening their entry policies.  Governments are faced with the task of achieving a balance between openness to international migration and the implementation of effective policies to ensure immigrant integration. To do this requires the right mix of selected and non-selected migrants, of temporary and permanent migrants, of high-skilled and low-skilled, and of openness and control.

Ask the economists: Made in China. Is the game changing?

on 17-Jan-2007

Will China remain open to foreign investment? What sort of investor will China be abroad? Click here to read the questions and answers from this online debate with OECD economist Ken Davies about investment and China.

Ask the economists: Russia - will the boom bust?

on 11-Dec-2006

Is Russia relying too much on the energy sector and, if so, what is the cure? Click here  to read the questions and answers from this online debate with OECD economists on the Russian economy .

OECD Forum 2007: Innovation, Growth and Equity

from 14-May-2007 to 15-May-2007

The Forum contributes to the openness of the OECD to civil society; enhances the visibility of the OECD's work; and constitutes a "multi-stakeholder consultation" for the annual meeting of OECD ministers. Themes for the Forum include innovation and growth, sharing the benefits of globalisation and strengthening the multilateral system.

OECD Secretary-General's official visit to Poland

from 22-Nov-2006 to 25-Nov-2006

During his official visit, Angel Gurría met with key government officials, business leaders and economic experts, and attended speaking engagements to mark the 10th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the OECD.

OECD/ CEPII Club: “The Economy of Major Risks”

on 01-Dec-2006

A meeting jointly organised by OECD and CEPII in Paris.  What new kinds of risks are societies facing? How are the public and private sectors reacting to them? How are these risks affecting the insurance market? Can the risks be mitigating? What kind of government regulation is advisable? Speakers include OECD and CEPII analysts, representatives of the private and public sectors and academia. Participation is by invitation only. For further information, contact meggan.dissly@oecd.org

OECD debates “Migration and Development: What Role for the WTO?” at the WTO Public Forum 2006 "What WTO for the 21st Century?"

on 26-Sep-2006

Globalisation and the increased mobility of goods and services require a fresh look.  The extension of the provisions governing freedom of movement of people, including unskilled labour, can result in substantial gains for developing and transition countries.  Extending provisions for the movement of unskilled workers in the Doha Round under Mode 4 could provide powerful incentives for progress in other areas.

OECD High-level Parliamentary Seminar on Growth and Jobs

on 05-Oct-2006

This seminar provided an opportunity to share the main conclusions of recent OECD reports, Boosting Jobs and Income: Policy Lessons from Reassessing the OECD Jobs Strategy, and Going for Growth 2006.
In OECD countries about 35% of working-age individuals are either unemployed or inactive, on average, and living standards in certain countries, notably Japan and some continental European countries, have recently fallen behind the best performers. This was an occasion for parliamentarians to explore their role in promoting public support for implementing reforms for growth and jobs.

Joint Meeting of Trade Union and OECD Experts on Globalisation and Corporate Income Tax

on 06-Jul-2006

The Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (CTPA) will present recent trends in corporate tax reforms in OECD countries and measures addressing harmful tax practices.  The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) will present its 2006 Report on Corporate Income Tax.  The meeting is part of the OECD Labour and Management Programme and is by invitation only.



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-- OECD Forum -- 3-4 June 2008 Paris

A multi-stakeholder summit alongside the OECD's annual ministerial meeting.


Summaries and Speeches

This Annual Report highlights some of the OECD's achievements in 2008 and describes how it is helping its member countries respond to new challenges ahead.

2008 Edition

Ministers' roundtable on climate change

What action are OECD governments taking to address climate change?

See the answers from Denmark, France, Italy, Japan and Mexico

OECD experts and well-known guest writers offer insights into key policy challenges. In this issue: Babies and bosses.

OECD Observer, December 2007-January 2008

Editor's Choice

OECD in Figures is an original, simple to use, pocket data book, compiled and checked by our experts, so that decision-makers in government, research and business know they can rely on it.

OECD in Figures 2007

An easy-to-read series to help understand the economic and social issues high on everyone's agenda, from economic growth to health, pensions, trade and development.