Fixing Finance - Origins of the financial crisis and requirements for reform

What caused the global financial crisis, and what direction should the policy reform agenda take? Why did residential mortgage-backed securities and credit default swaps explode from around 2004? Adrian Blundell-Wignall discusses the origins of the financial crisis and requirements for reform at the New America Foundation on 13 October 2009, as part of the OECD Breakfast Series.

OECD Secretary-General congratulates President Obama on Nobel Peace Prize

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría hailed the Nobel committee’s decision to award its annual Peace Prize to U.S. President Barack Obama, calling it “a powerful vote for peace and co-operation between nations”.

Why does the United States spend so much more on health than other countries?

The United States spent 16% of its national income (GDP) on health in 2007, which is by far, the highest share in the OECD. This presentation was given by Mark Pearson, Head of OECD Health Division, to the U.S Senate Special Committee on Aging.

G20 Summit: Framework for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth

Secretary-General Gurría called for the need to agree on common international targets in areas such as innovation and green growth predicting "they could become the overarching umbrella for the G20 Framework’s structural agenda".Gurria's remarks to G20 leaders reflected the fact that the focus on structural policies will constitute the principal element of the OECD's contribution to future work on the G20 Framework Strong, Sustainable

G20 Summit: An Update on the Move to Greater Transparency and International Cooperation in Tax Matters

Angel Gurría reported to G20 on progress towards greater transparency and international cooperation in tax matters. Read the latest Progress Report listing where jurisdictions stand in implementing the international tax standard.

OECD-G20: International standards on structural policies key to emerging from crisis

Secretary-General Gurría called for the need to agree on common international targets in areas such as innovation and green growth predicting "they could become the overarching umbrella for the G20 Framework’s structural agenda".Gurria's remarks to G20 leaders reflected the fact that the focus on structural policies will constitute the principal element of the OECD's contribution to future work on the G20 Framework Strong, Sustainable

Switzerland moves towards substantial implementation of tax information exchange

Switzerland has signed a protocol to its tax treaty with the United States that incorporates the internationally agreed tax information standard. This is the 11th agreement for the exchange of information in tax matters signed by Switzerland that meets the OECD standard. The agreement with the United States continues the trend of agreements signed by Switzerland with its major economic partners. Of its 11 agreements, 10 are with OECD

OECD names former Clinton aide to head its Washington Centre

The OECD has appointed Jill A. Schuker, a former Clinton and Carter Administration official who also has worked on Capitol Hill, in state government and in the private sector, as the new Head of its Washington Centre.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in developed countries

In his remarks to the informal ministerial meeting on climate change, Mr. Gurría underlined that the difficult part is working out what exactly is a “fair share” of GHG mitigation in order to reach a successful agreement in Copenhagen.

Employment Outlook 2009 Country Notes: United States

The OECD Employment Outlook 2009 indicates that the early stages of the economic recovery will be too muted to result in strong job creation. As a result, the US unemployment rate is expected to continue to rise to a little above 10% and to remain at that level through 2010.

Related Documents

• OECD Employment Outlook 2009