The Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) was established in 1948 to run the US-financed Marshall Plan for reconstruction of a continent ravaged by war. By making individual governments recognise the interdependence of their economies, it paved the way for a new era of cooperation that was to change the face of Europe. Encouraged by its success and the prospect of carrying its work forward on a global stage, Canada and the US joined OEEC members in signing the new OECD Convention on 14 December 1960. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was officially born on 30 September 1961, when the Convention entered into force.
Today, the OECD has 35 Member Countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.
The Organisation also has close relations with Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa through its "enhanced engagement" programme. Together with them, the OECD brings around its table a group of countries that account for 80% of world trade and investment, giving it a pivotal role in addressing the challenges facing the world economy.
The mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world - summed up in its slogan "Better Policies for Better Lives".
The OECD provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to problems. The Organisation works with governments to understand what drives economic, social and environmental change.
Drawing on innovative research, the OECD develops policies designed to improve the quality of peoples lives. It works with businesses and unions, and maintains active contacts with other civil society organisations.
