Paris, 27 May 2019 – A strong delegation of global business leaders participated in the 2019 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, stressing the need for integrated policies that will enable business to fully deliver on the potential from the digital transformation for economies and societies. This pivotal exchange platform allowed our global members and corporate leaders to convey what business needs from international collaboration to promote both economic growth and inclusion. Our high-level dialogue featured multiple interactions with Economy, Trade, Foreign Affairs, and Finance Ministers from 36 OECD countries and key non-member economies. Senior leaders including Peter Robinson, CEO and President from the US Council for International Business, Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard, and Saori Dubourg, Board Member from BASF, formally addressed Ministers during the program.
The OECD Ministerial outcomes and adopted instruments reflected critical policy recommendations from our 2019 Business at OECD Statement to Ministers, notably the need to appropriately involve stakeholders as future policy recommendations are developed, guidance that will enable data governance based on trust, and continued support for OECD evidence and facts on tax, competition, and trade, including on tracking market distorting support measures and barriers. We commend the adoption of the OECD Artificial Intelligence principles and the creation of an OECD Observatory on AI—business involvement in this area will be critical to achieve innovation in a number of fields including health, environment, and anti-corruption.
We also convened for the 5th occasion the current G20 and Business-20 presidencies to share business recommendations to G20 leaders ahead of the Osaka Summit. The event featured the participation of the Foreign Minister of Japan Taro Kono, the president and CEO of ANA Holdings Shinya Katanozaka, and OECD leadership. Business speakers from our French and German national members MEDEF and BDI, our Argentinian observer UIA, and from Accenture also debated views with five G20 Sherpas and senior government officials. In this meeting, Business at OECD Chair Phil O’Reilly affirmed the importance of ensuring continuity and frank exchanges across presidencies to achieve tangible outcomes in G20 declarations and implementation actions.
About Business at OECD
Established in 1962, Business at OECD stands for policies that enable businesses of all sizes to contribute to growth, economic development, and societal prosperity. Through Business at OECD, national businesses and employers’ federations representing over 7 million companies provide and receive expertise via our participation with the OECD and governments promoting competitive economies and better business.
For more information, contact Ali Karami-Ruiz, Senior Director, Strategic Engagement and Communications
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