About the OECD

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Together, we create
better policies for better lives

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 is a good forum to exchange information. It has stood the test of time and has provided evidence-based analysis, as a platform for peer learning for nearly 60 years. It is quite clear to me that if the OECD did not exist today, we would have to invent it. Sanna Marin Prime Minister, Finland

To address today’s challenges, countries must enhance the coordination of their actions. The OECD must continue to play a leading role in multilateralism. Non-binding standards show the way encouraging rather than imposing and they will key in the world of tomorrow. Faced with an international pandemic that has revealed our interdependencies, and led to economic and social consequences, we have seen that all responses must be coordinated and cooperative. Emmanuel Macron President of France

The OECD has significantly contributed to strengthening the multilateral free trade system and to sustainable economic growth through evidence-based analysis and quality standard setting. At this critical juncture, the role of OECD to gather our wisdom from around the world and to coordinate policies has never been more important. Yoshihide Suga Former Prime Minister, Japan

The OECD is fundamental in helping to understand our economic reality. Since the Marshall Plan, the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) has been a close interlocutor of the OECD in making sure that the workers’ voice is represented. More than ever, we need the OECD to help us shape effective policies, from reducing inequality and creating quality jobs, to tackling climate change and digitalisation in a just and sustainable manner. Marc Leemans Acting President, TUAC

Over the years, we have provided business perspectives and thought leadership to the OECD through the active participation of our leading business and employer organizations—and the corporate representatives they appoint to our work. There is no better forum than the OECD to powerfully demonstrate business is a dynamic solutions partner for international collaboration. Charles R. Johnston Chair, Business at OECD (BIAC)

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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Member countries View full list

OECD accession candidates View full list

Key Partners View full list

Regional initiatives View full list

Education

Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)

Testing 15-year-old students in reading, mathematics and science.

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Tax avoidance

Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS)

Collaborating to tackle tax avoidance strategies by businesses.

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Responsible Business Conduct

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

Encouraging companies globally to incorporate social, human rights and environmental considerations into the way they do business.

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Inclusive Growth

Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth

Mayors addressing inequality in cities.

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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.

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IMPROVING
#EDUCATION SYSTEMS

600 000 students