Joining OECD a priority in Brazil foreign policy, chief of staff says

Brazil’s chief of staff Ciro Nogueira said the steps the country has taken to be formally admitted to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have mobilized hundreds of federal officials, leading to a “new work dynamic in various spheres.”

“Becoming a member of the OECD is vital and a priority goal for our government,” said Nogueira during the opening of the 6th National Control Forum. Under the theme New Perspectives on Governance Applied to Control, the event was held by the country’s Federal Court of Accounts on Thursday (Aug 11).

Also during the opening of the event, Brazil’s Foreign Minister Carlos França noted it is the job of the Foreign Ministry to spearhead Brazilian efforts to join the OECD.

“For this endeavor to be successful, Brazil has carried out important reforms and joined OECD committees that provide guidance on the adoption of the best management practices,” the chancellor said, also referring to an “international movement” that seeks to improve management and governance in public administration.

Admission

Created in 1961 and headquartered in Paris, the OECD is an international organization currently made up of 37 nations, including some of the world’s leading developed economies, such as the US, Japan, and European Union countries. Brazil, considered since 2007 an active key partner of the organization, made its interest in becoming a full member official in 2017 under former President Temer.

In January this year, considering “the progress made by Brazil” concerning previous adjustments to the organization’s rules, the OECD council formalized to the Brazilian government the invitation for the nation to join the group. In June, the council approved the Roadmap for Brazil’s Accession to the OECD Convention, establishing the terms and conditions to be met by the Latin American.

Since then, according to the organization itself, Brazilian officials, experts from OECD member countries and representatives of the OECD secretariat have met regularly in order to discuss mutually agreed upon topics. “Brazil has valued the opportunity to discuss major policy issues and challenges in a multilateral context and to learn from the experiences of OECD countries facing similar challenges in many areas,” the OECD states on its website.

Also on the OECD website, the organization adds that “the relationship has also benefited OECD members and non-OECD economies by enabling them to acquire a better understanding of Brazil as it has become a major actor in the globalized economy.”