The OECD as a leading global standard setter, notably on business conduct, sustainable infrastructure finance and good infrastructure governance, is committed to helping countries pursue quality infrastructure investments by promoting the application of robust international standards, best practices and open market principles. For this purpose and at the request of the Blue Dot Network Steering Committee, which consists of Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, the OECD’s Trust in Business Initiative coordinates technical support to develop and operationalise the quality infrastructure certification framework. 

The Blue Dot Network aims to foster the quality infrastructure investment vital to support sustainable growth and resilient economic recovery.

This voluntary private-sector-focused and government-supported certification scheme is based on quality infrastructure standards as set out in the G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment, the G7 Charlevoix Commitment on Innovative Financing for Development, the Equator Principles and guidelines such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

Established to tackle the USD 2.5-3.5 trillion investment gap, the Blue Dot Network will provide an internationally-recognised certification framework to assist countries in pursuing investments that maximise the positive economic, social, environmental and development impact of infrastructure.

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The OECD, through its Trust in Business Initiative and with the input of various OECD directorates, has been engaged to provide high-level guidance and technical input to operationalise the global certification process and review framework.

Through the streamlining and operationalisation of existing global infrastructure standards, the Blue Dot Network intends to form a user-friendly and practical solution to certify sustainable infrastructure projects which are key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. 

Blue Dot Network pilot projects: Following the launch of the OECD Proposal for the Blue Dot Network in 2022, the Trust in Business initiative has been road-testing the proposed framework on infrastructure projects around the world. The pipeline includes a wide distribution of projects covering all the key infrastructure sectors (energy, transport, water and ICT)  and regions of the world.

We invite project developers, financiers and contracting authorities to put forward suggestions for future pilot projects through this expression of interest form.

The first group of pilot projects successfully completed the assessment in February 2023, demonstrating the operability of the certification framework. 

Third meeting of the informal Executive Consultation Group - This event convened over 180 leaders from business, civil society and trade unions together with representatives from the Blue Dot Network founding governments and the OECD.

Agenda | Summary Note

News release - The OECD proposes a prototype for the Blue Dot Network to operationalise quality infrastructure projects | version française

High-level panel - Catalysing Quality Infrastructure Investment to Build-Back-Better

U.S. State Department Media Note - U.S. and OECD Co-Host Panel on Quality Infrastructure and the Blue Dot Network

Press release - OECD and the United States partner to reduce corruption risks in infrastructure investment

Launch event - The multi-stakeholder design process for the Blue Dot Network certification framework kicked off in Paris with the launch of the OECD-led Informal Executive Consultation Group.

Agenda | Summary Note | Highlights report | Keynote by Mathias Cormann | Statement by the US Department of State

News release - OECD and Global Executives engage with the Blue Dot Network to develop certification for quality infrastructure investment | en français

Private sector and civil society organisations interested in engaging with the OECD’s Informal Executive Consultation Group for the Blue Dot Network can contact:

Isabel Cane, Head, Trust in Business initiative, [email protected]

Juan Garin, Policy Advisor, Sustainable Finance and Infrastructure, [email protected]

Blue Dot Network

G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment

G7 Charlevoix Commitment on Innovative Financing for Development

Equator Principles

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

OECD Trust in Business Initiative