24/01/2024 Session
The enlarged Assembly* today highlighted the role of the OECD and its initiatives to mitigate the negative trends in globalisation, in the new context resulting from shocks provoked by Covid-19 pandemic and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The resolution adopted on the basis of the report by George Katrougalos (Greece, UEL), states that most OECD countries are facing fiscal deficits, elevated public debt levels, a subdued outlook for economic growth and inflation pressures. The combined effects of the pandemic, global conflicts, the climate crisis and rising inequalities have also intensified extreme poverty, the parliamentarians emphasised.
Against this backdrop, the enlarged Assembly recalled the urgent need for policies which tackle social inequalities in the fields of youth employment, education, public health, training and adequate pensions, so as to leave no one behind, while taking account of fiscal and economic challenges. It called on the OECD to step up its work in these areas.
According to the enlarged Assembly, it is essential that the community of OECD member countries and accession candidate countries remains committed to shared values, as well as to multilateralism and unity in addressing global challenges and developing partnerships, the parliamentarians said.
“Globalisation, and our rules-based global order, is under significant pressure. This pressure calls for more co-operation, not less. And the most pressing challenges we face today are shared challenges requiring shared solutions,” said Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD, who addressed the Assembly during the debate.
“We look forward to continuing our work together to promote economic resilience, to support freedom and democracy, human rights and the rule of law, to enhance good governance, and boost skills and jobs, to ensure effective international co-operation on tax and climate, and ultimately, to support better policies for better lives in Europe and beyond,” Mr Cormann added.
*The enlarged Assembly consists of PACE, enlarged to include the delegations of the national parliaments of the OECD member States that are not members of the Council of Europe and a delegation from the European Parliament. It is a platform for parliamentary scrutiny of OECD activities. Every two years, in plenary session, the enlarged Assembly debates specific themes which are defined in collaboration with the OECD.