NEWS OECD Countries Agree New Corporate Governance Principles Les pays de l'OCDE se mettent d'accord sur de nouveaux Principes de gouvernement d'entreprise UNI demands Higher Standard of Corporate Governance Trade Unions Make their Voices Heard at OECD Ministerial Council and Forum Sessions (Paris 28-30 April 2003)

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) groups 30 member countries in an organisation that, most importantly, provides governments a setting in which to discuss, develop and perfect economic and social policy. They compare experiences, seek answers to common problems and work to co-ordinate domestic and international policies that increasingly in today's globalised world must form a web of even practice across nations.

Their exchanges may lead to agreements to act in a formal way - for example, by establishing legally-binding codes for free flow of capital and services, agreements to crack down on bribery or to end subsidies for shipbuilding. But more often, their discussion makes for better informed work within their own governments on the spectrum of public policy and clarifies the impact of national policies on the international community. And it offers a chance to reflect and exchange perspectives with other countries similar to their own.

Exchanges between OECD governments flow from information and analysis provided by a Secretariat in Paris. Parts of the OECD Secretariat collect data, monitor trends, analyse and forecast economic developments, while others research social changes or evolving patterns in trade, environment, agriculture, technology, taxation and more. This work, in areas that mirror the policy-making structures in ministries of governments, is done in close consultation with policy-makers who will use the analysis, and it underpins discussion by member countries when they meet in specialised committees of the OECD. Much of the research and analysis is published.

Contact
Affiliates with questions or information about OECD should e-mail UNI’s