About OECD

The objective of the organisation is to support sustainable economic growth, boost employment and raise living standards, maintain financial stability, assist other countries’ economic development and contribute to growth in world trade. The OEEC (Organisation for European Economic Cooperation) was the predecessor to the OECD and was established in 1947 to administrate the Marshall-aid.

The OECD constitute a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences as well as analysing key issues in almost all policy areas. By participating in OECD activities member countries learn from each other, discuss common problems, international economic questions, with a view to establishing a sound base for national decision-taking. Economic policy, trade and agricultural policies, education, labour market, taxes, investment and governance are key policy areas. OECD is one of the world’s largest publisher in the fields of economics and public policy.

Within the OECD, member states also internationally agreed instruments, decisions and recommendations in areas where common understanding and multilateral agreements are necessary. Guidelines for multinational enterprises, the convention against bribery and corruption and rules for export credits are particularly important examples.

The OECD has, through the DAC (the Development Committee), an important role in exchange of views on policies in the field of international development cooperation.

Member countries’ politiciens in different fields are regularly being reviewed in reports that the Secretary publishes. One of the main products of the OECD are the economic outlooks and the country surveys.

The so-called PISA-surveys, comparisons of school results between member countries has received a lot of attention.

At the ministerial council meeting in May 2007, OECD countries agreed to start negotiations on membership with 5 countries: Chile, Estonia, Israel, Russia and Slovenia, and offered to enhanced engagement with Brazil, India, Indonesia, China and South Africa.