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Australia and the OECD

The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)

The OECD is part of the system of Western international institutions developed after World War II and is the main forum for monitoring and evaluating economic trends and developments in its 30 member countries.  The forerunner of the OECD was the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC), which was formed to administer American and Canadian aid for reconstruction of Europe after World War II under the Marshall Plan.  The OECD is based in Paris.

Australian participation in the OECD

Australia joined the OECD in 1971, although initial links were established through membership of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee in 1966.  The decision to become a full member reflected general interest in expressing views and exerting influence in an organisation which had by that time established itself as the paramount western economic consultative forum. 

The role of the OECD

The main message which flows through the work of the OECD is the fundamental benefits of liberal democracy and free markets in improving the economic and social well-being of citizens in member countries and globally. 

The basic aims of the OECD, enshrined in its 1960 founding Convention are:

For further information on the charter of the OECD see the Convention of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

One of the most valuable features of the OECD is the compact membership comprising all the relatively advanced market economies.  The OECD does not have executive or financial powers; it relies on persuasion and consensus, and derives its relevance to Member countries from its high quality analysis of economic and social issues. 

The OECD has built up an extensive archive of broadly comparable data on its member economies.  It publishes a wide range of material, including regular economic surveys on each member country.

How does the OECD work?

The highest decision-making body of the OECD is the OECD Council.  Each member country maintains a Permanent Delegation in Paris, which is established as a normal diplomatic mission headed by an Ambassador.  Ambassadors attend fortnightly meetings of the Council.  Once each year the Council meets at Ministerial level to provide guidance on the overall policy directions of the OECD's work program. 

The major part of the OECD's work is carried out in specialised committees, expert groups and working parties.  The OECD is funded by annual contributions from member countries, calculated according to a formula based on the GDP of each country.  Member countries may also make voluntary additional payments to advance work in which they have a particular interest.

The OECD uses two official languages, English and French.  It employs a staff of around 2,500 in its Secretariat, including about 600 professional economists, statisticians and analysts.  Where appropriate, it also calls on academics and seconded government officials to participate as consultants in the work of the organisation.

The current Secretary-General is Mr Angel Gurria, who was appointed in 2006.  He is assisted by four Deputy Secretaries-General.  The Secretariat is divided into specialised Directorates which correspond broadly to the principal Committees of the Organisation.  Further information on the structure of the OECD can be obtained from the general OECD website.

Several autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies have been set up within the framework of the OECD, each with its own governing committee.  The main ones are:

Contacts

For general inquiries on the OECD please contact the OECD in Paris at:

2 rue Andre-Pascal
75775 Paris Cedex 16
FRANCE
Tel: (33 1) 40 59 33 00
Fax: (33 1) 40 59 33 84
Website: http://www.oecd.org

Hard copies of OECD Publications can be obtained from: 

D. A. Information Services
Post Office Box 163
Mitcham, Victoria
Tel. (03) 9210 7777; and
Fax: (03) 9210 7788
Email: service@dadirect.com.au

For general inquiries on Australia’s interests in the OECD please contact:

The OECD and UNCTAD Policy Unit
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
R.G. Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
Barton, ACT, 0221

Tel: (02) 6261 3236 or DFAT Switchboard (02) 6261 1111
Fax: (02) 6261 1385