OECD Rural Development Conference

The 1st OECD Latin American Rural Development Conference was organised in 2025 in Rio de Janeiro and in connection with the Green Rio programme, under the theme "rural-urban connections: pathways to sustainable development". Participants discussed rural-urban interdependencies and how policy can support delivery through co-operation across levels of government and sectors, including links with business and local development actors. 

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The 13th OECD Rural Development Conference, hosted by Ireland in 2022, focused on building sustainable, resilient and thriving rural places. Discussions explored rural economies and services, connectivity, climate action, innovation and social cohesion, with particular attention to the role of youth and women in shaping rural futures.

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The 12th OECD Rural Development Conference, hosted in Seoul, Korea, in 2019, explored how policies can raise well-being in rural areas, with discussions focused on innovation, digitalisation, quality public services and the transition to a low-carbon economy. The conference highlighted good practices and comparative insights on how rural policies can support resilience, competitiveness and broader sustainable development goals.

Held in Edinburgh in April 2018, the 11th OECD Rural Development Conference explored how innovation can help rural regions respond to major economic, social and environmental transitions. Building on OECD Rural Policy 3.0, discussions highlighted place-based policies, community leadership, rural-urban linkages and practical innovations to strengthen resilience and well-being in rural areas. The conference concluded with a call for more integrated, long-term and community-empowering rural policies.

The 10^th OECD Rural Development Conference, held in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, in 2015, looked at how modern rural policy can contribute to national prosperity by improving the competitiveness and well-being of rural regions. Discussions highlighted the significant untapped potential of rural regions as drivers of economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, and emphasised the need for place-based policies tailored to the distinct assets and challenges of different rural areas. A central message of the conference was that well-being should be at the heart of rural policy, recognising that prosperity extends beyond economic growth to encompass social, environmental and quality-of-life outcomes.

The 9^th OECD Rural Development Conference, held in Bologna, Italy, in 2013, focused on the growing interdependence between rural and urban areas and the role of rural-urban partnerships in promoting regional development. The conference launched the OECD report Rural-Urban Partnerships: An Integrated Approach to Economic Development and highlighted that rural and urban areas are linked through labour markets, value chains, natural resources and service provision. Discussions showcased that effective partnerships can help places pursue shared objectives and generate mutual benefits, provided they are supported by strong governance arrangements, stakeholder engagement and co-ordination across levels of government. A central message of the conference was that rural and urban development should not be treated as separate policy domains but as interconnected systems requiring integrated, place-based approaches.

Held in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, in 2012, the 8th OECD Rural Development Conference looked at how innovation and productivity can support the modernisation of rural economies. Discussion highlighted new opportunities in sectors such as tourism, forestry, renewable energy and local foods, while recognising challenges linked to demographic change, climate change, fiscal pressures and dependence on single industries. Participants stressed that improving productivity, fostering innovation and investing in human capital are essential to strengthening rural competitiveness and resilience. A key conclusion was that rural regions increasingly rely on manufacturing and service industries alongside traditional sectors and require policies that enable local actors to innovate, adapt and prosper.

Innovation and Modernising the Rural Economy

Held in Québec City, Canada, in 2009, the 7^th OECD Rural Development Conference examined how rural regions could respond to major economic, demographic, and environmental transformations. Against the backdrop of the global financial crisis, discussions focused on helping rural communities adapt to demographic change, harness new opportunities in renewable energy and emerging sectors, and strengthen local government capacity and policy co-ordination. Participants highlighted the need for more adaptable and responsive rural policies that combine national frameworks with local flexibility and stronger collaboration across stakeholders. A central message of the conference was that rural resilience depends on the ability to navigate change while building long-term competitiveness and prosperity.

The 6^th OECD Rural Development Conference,  held in Cologne, Germany, in 2008, focused on how public services can support well-being, competitiveness, and long-term development in rural regions. Discussions explored how governments can improve access to essential services, including education, healthcare, transport and digital connectivity, while adopting place-based approaches tailored to the needs of different rural communities. Participants emphasised that effective service delivery is fundamental to both quality of life and economic development and highlighted the importance of innovation, digital technologies and stronger co-operation across levels of government. The conference concluded that service delivery should be viewed as a long-term investment in rural well-being and competitiveness.

The 5^th OECD Rural Development Conference, held in Cáceres, Spain, in 2007, focused on the role of innovation, skills, and technology in strengthening rural competitiveness and supporting the implementation of the OECD's New Rural Paradigm. Discussions highlighted the importance of developing and attracting human capital, promoting the effective use of technology, and fostering collaboration among governments, businesses and communities. Participants emphasised that innovation extends beyond technology and includes new products, services and forms of governance. A central message of the conference was that innovative rural regions depend on strong human capital, effective institutions and collaborative, place-based approaches that build on local assets and opportunities.

Held in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2006, the 4^th OECD Rural Development Conference focused on the investments needed to strengthen rural competitiveness and prosperity. The conference reinforced the role of rural policy as an investment framework aimed at enhancing regional competitiveness, growth, and well-being. Discussions highlighted the importance of supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital, improving access to quality services and infrastructure, and strengthening rural-urban linkages. Participants recognised that rural regions possess significant untapped potential and that public and private investment should focus on unlocking local assets and opportunities. The conference reinforced the idea that rural policy should be integrated into broader regional development strategies and viewed as an investment framework to promote long-term competitiveness and well-being.

The 3^rd OECD Rural Development Conference held in Oaxaca, Mexico, focused on the governance arrangements needed to deliver integrated, place-based rural development. Discussions focused on strengthening co-ordination across levels of government, improving collaboration across policy sectors, and enhancing the role of local actors and partnerships in shaping development priorities. Participants emphasised that effective rural development depends not only on policy design but also on governance systems that foster co-operation across governments, sectors and civil society. The conference highlighted governance, co-ordination and local engagement as essential foundations for delivering place-based rural policies.

The 2nd OECD Rural Development Conference, held in Warrington, Virginia in 2004, built on the discussions launched in Siena and further advanced the shift towards a new approach to rural development. Discussions highlighted the need to diversify rural economies beyond traditional sectors, support place-based development that builds on local assets and comparative advantages, and move away from one-size-fits-all policies towards approaches tailored to the needs of different rural regions. The conference also underscored the importance of stronger partnerships, improved governance arrangements and greater local capacity to identify and pursue development opportunities. It helped lay the foundations for the OECD's New Rural Paradigm, positioning rural policy as an investment strategy to foster competitiveness in rural territories.

The conference helped lay the foundations for the OECD's New Rural Paradigm, which codified the shift from a focus on agriculture to a broader approach to rural development, positioning rural policy as an investment strategy to foster competitiveness in rural territories. The discussions and findings from the conference was summarised in the publication, New Approaches to Rural Policy: Lessons from around the world. 

Held in Siena, Italy, in July 2002, the 1st OECD Rural Development Conference captured the turning point in rural development thinking. Participants called for the need to move beyond a narrow focus on agriculture towards a more diversified rural economy, recognising the interdependence between rural and urban areas.

Discussions also highlighted the need to move from subsidies towards investments that mobilise local assets and opportunities and from top-down interventions towards approaches that empower communities to identify priorities and lead development efforts. The conference established many of the principles that continue to underpin OECD rural policy today.