Who we are

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation that works to build better policies for better lives. Our goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all. We draw on 60 years of experience and insights to better prepare the world of tomorrow.

Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

The OECD is a force for good in the world. All of us have a collective responsibility to use it to its full potential. Our core purpose, under our Convention, is to preserve individual liberty and to increase the economic and social well-being of our people. Our essential mission of the past – to promote stronger, cleaner, fairer economic growth and to raise employment and living standards – remains the critically important mission for the future. Mathias Cormann OECD Secretary-General

The OECD has been at the forefront of global co-operation, offering top-notch analysis and policy advice. With age and experience come responsibility and expectation. Today, the world looks to the OECD for leadership. Rania Al Abdullah Queen of Jordan

The OECD plays an important role in sharing information, data and measuring progress on poverty eradication or inequality, and in bringing to the forefront solutions pertinent for the betterment of humanity and children. Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Children Rights Activist

The OECD has thus judiciously participated in the decisive struggles of our time, and especially the fight against inequalities, and these are the efforts I came here to commend and support. Emmanuel Macron President of France

Global earnings for working people have been falling for the past three decades. The Inclusive Growth Framework that the OECD developed can bring the right policy ideas to the challenges we face.

Our global reach

The OECD is at the heart of international co-operation. Our Member countries work with other countries, organisations and stakeholders worldwide to address the pressing policy challenges of our time.

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What we do: shape #BetterLives

This is a glimpse of how we help countries forge a path towards better lives while saving billions of dollars for taxpayers and boosting prospects for stronger, fairer and cleaner economies and societies.

How we work

Inform & Advise

We provide knowledge and advice to inform better policies. As one of the world’s largest and most trusted sources of comparative socio-economic data and analysis, we help steer decision-making.

How can we work together ?

We collaborate daily with representatives from governments, parliaments, international organisations, business and labour, civil society, as well as citizens from across the globe.

The OECD needs your views. Whether by attending an event, using our analysis or joining a public consultation, there are many ways for you to engage with us.

Trust in Global Co-operation: The vision for the OECD for the next decade
 

This year, we the Members, with the European Union fully participating, celebrate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the OECD. We form a like-minded community, committed to the preservation of individual liberty, the values of democracy, the rule of law and the defence of human rights. We believe in open and transparent market economy principles. Guided by our Convention, we will pursue sustainable economic growth and employment, while protecting our planet. Our shared endeavour is to end poverty, to tackle inequalities and to leave no one behind. We want to improve the lives and prospects of everyone, inside and outside the OECD. As a global pathfinder, the OECD will therefore continue to develop evidence-based analysis that helps generate innovative policies and standards to build stronger, more sustainable and more inclusive economies, inspiring trust and confidence for resilient, responsive and healthy societies.

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Discover the OECD

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation that works to build better policies for better lives. Our goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all.

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Events

Commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the OECD Convention

14 December 2020

5-6 October 2021

OECD MINISTERIAL COUNCIL MEETING

The OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM), chaired by the United States with Korea and Luxembourg as Vice-Chairs, gathers Leaders and Ministers under the theme of “Shared Values: Building a Green and Inclusive Future”. On this occasion, Members have adopted a new Vision Statement to guide the Organisation for the upcoming decade.

ENHANCING WELL-BEING AND INCLUSIVENESS

Improving people's well-being of people is what originally brought and continues to bring countries together across the world to be part of the OECD. Over the past 10 years in particular, we have helped to place issues relating to well-being and inequalities of income and opportunities high on the international agenda.

BUILDING FAIRER SOCIETIES THROUGH TAX CO-OPERATION

Over the past decade, the OECD has been playing a central role in supporting international dialogue and exchange on tax policy. This global fight has been one of the major success stories of international co-operation in recent years.

HARNESSING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

The OECD has provided key insights and support for countries to grasp the implications of digital transformation and new technologies, helping them to anticipate and respond to the rapidly changing digital landscape.

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Discover the full timeline

The forerunner of the OECD was the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC), which was formed to administer American and Canadian aid under the Marshall Plan for the reconstruction of Europe after World War II.

The Convention transforming the OEEC into the OECD was signed at the Chateau de la Muette in Paris on 14 December 1960 and entered into force on 30 September 1961.

Since then, the OECD's vocation has been to deliver greater well-being worldwide by advising governments on policies that support resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth. Through evidence-based policy analysis and recommendations, standards and global policy networks, including close collaboration with the G7 and the G20, the OECD has helped advance reforms and multilateral solutions to global challenges. These span the public policy horizon, from the polluter pays principle, which the OECD developed in the 1970s, to PISA in education, not to mention tax transparency and artificial intelligence. Throughout its history, the OECD has striven to become more global, more inclusive and more relevant