THE FUTURE WE WANT: BETTER POLICIES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION AND A SUSTAINABLE TRANSITION
1. On the occasion of the 2022 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, we1 have assembled on 9-10 June 2022 under the leadership of Italy as MCM Chair, and with Mexico and Norway as Vice Chairs, under the theme of “The Future We Want: Better Policies for the Next Generation and a Sustainable Transition”.
2. Russia’s unjustifiable, unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine is a flagrant violation of international law that shakes the very foundation of the international order. Any unilateral attempts to change it and redraw internationally recognised borders by force or by other means is unacceptable. Against this tense backdrop, we believe that the OECD has a greater role to play as an international organisation that can unite under our shared values. We are firmly determined to rise resolutely to various geopolitical challenges ahead to preserve and promote our shared values. We condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. We have suspended Russia’s and Belarus’ participation in OECD bodies. We call on Russia to immediately cease all hostile and provocative actions against Ukraine, withdraw all military and proxy forces from the country, and turn to good-faith diplomacy and dialogue in order to bring a peaceful end to its ongoing war as soon as possible. We call on all partners to refrain from taking export restrictions measures for agricultural products in the context of the rising food insecurity crisis, in coordination with other international partners. We stand in solidarity with Ukraine. Our priority is to help the Ukrainian people, support their democratically elected government, and protect refugees throughout this crisis. We encourage the OECD’s continuing analyses of the economic, environmental and social repercussions of the war, including the needs of women and children, and OECD proposals in support of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, together with relevant international partners. In this regard, we welcome the establishment of the OECD Kyiv Office.
3. In this context, we will work toward consolidating the economic and social foundations of democracy, through realising a sustainable and inclusive growth as well as addressing disparities and inequalities. We will also step up efforts to maintain and strengthen the rules-based international economic order, while preserving our economic security and countering economic coercion. Furthermore, we will bolster our external engagement to promote adherence to OECD standards and to achieve sustainable development all over the world.
4. We want the next generation to inherit a peaceful, prosperous, sustainable and inclusive future. The OECD’s shared values, as reflected in its 60th Anniversary Vision Statement, are the basis for our like-minded action in support of a rule based international order and in pursuit of sustainable growth, while protecting our planet and reducing inequalities. We believe democracy and the rule of law, the promotion of human rights, equality, diversity and inclusion, gender equality, the market-based economic principles, an open, free and fair, and rules-based multilateral trading system, transparency and accountability of governments, and the promotion of environmental sustainability will help improve the lives and prospects of everyone – inside and outside the OECD’s membership, now and in the future. We intend to continue our successful collaboration with non-member countries. We commit to preserving the like-minded nature of the OECD in its enlargement process, and welcome the adoption of Accession Roadmaps for Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Peru and Romania. We reaffirm the openness of the Organisation, the continued importance of all of our regional programmes and the strategic priority of South East Asia as identified in our Global Relations Strategy, and our commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Solid multilateral co-operation and institutions have never been more important. Recognising the challenges to the OECD’s standards and norms by emerging donors, we will reinforce our global engagement through consolidating OECD’s role as a platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices, as well as advancing its standards globally, through membership and partnerships and a sound approach to development. The war in Ukraine, the scarring effects of the pandemic and the climate emergency have critical consequences particularly for developing countries. Extreme poverty, severe food insecurity and forced displacement are intensifying. We recognise the importance of an urgent and coordinated response and of international cooperation to help developing countries manage these shocks. We are committed to supporting developing countries to achieve their development goals through policy dialogue, expert analysis, demand-driven policy support, domestic resource mobilisation and international finance – including Official Development Assistance and other official and private flows – to meet both urgent needs and longer term sustainable development priorities. We will take a positive role in measuring these international financial flows to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
2022-MCM-Statement-ENTo read the full report from the OECD Council, please click here.