“I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic deaths of Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan, members of the UN Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). On behalf of my Organisation, I wish to convey our condolences to their families and colleagues from the UN and beyond, who had the pleasure of working with them."

Global FDI flows decreased by 7% in 2016, despite recovering well in the second half of the year following a weak second quarter, according to the latest issue of FDI in Figures. Flows remained below their pre-crisis peak, representing 2.2% of global GDP compared to 3.6% in 2007.

Practical actions for companies to identify and address the worst forms of child labour in mineral supply chains is for use by companies to help them identify, mitigate and account for the risks of child labour in their mineral supply chains. It builds on the due diligence framework of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.

Brazil is steadily investing in the creation of rules and regulations to converge to governance standards already consolidated in developed countries. Complying with these international standards is indispensable if Brazilian companies intend to operate on a global scale.

Surprised looks with colleagues or students are commonplace when I observe that the OECD plays an important part in the promotion of responsible business conduct (RBC), not just in OECD countries, but also globally. RBC is OECD “speak” for corporate social responsibility, corporate sustainability and other terms indicating an expectation that businesses take responsibility for their impact on society.

The truth is that human rights are not sustainable, or in some places even possible, in today’s networked society unless public and private actors take responsibility. Governments and corporations alike must commit to design, manage, and govern technologies in a manner that is consistent with international human rights standards.

Drawing on data presented in the 2017 OECD Business and Finance Outlook, this article looks at some of the forces influencing recent economic developments and asks what can be done to ensure a “fairer” global economy.

Globalisation has failed to create a level playing field in trade, investment and corporate behaviour, being one of the factors contributing to a backlash against openness in many countries and a decline in confidence in government institutions.

30/05/2017 - Adrian Blundell-Wignall, Special Advisor to the OECD Secretary-General on Financial and Enterprise Affairs, argues that key corporate and financial issues must be addressed if globalisation is to work better for all. These issues are examined in the new 2017 OECD Business and Finance Outlook.

This report describes the economic landscape of publicly listed family firms in Asia and looks at the importance of these entities to the region and beyond. It highlights how an effective corporate governance system can improve performance and create value by reducing the cost of equity and reducing capital waste.

29 June 2017 - On the occasion of the 5th Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct, Gabriela Ramos, OECD Chief of Staff and Sherpa to the G20, draws attention to the human rights abuse of modern slavery and makes a plea for reinforced international coordination and cooperation to help fight this unacceptable reality.

21 July 2017 - Recent noteworthy developments have created a new momentum on responsible business conduct worldwide, confirming the prominence of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and their in-built implementation mechanism, the National Contact Points. This article by Roel Nieuwenkamp looks at the expectations that come with this heightened recognition.

More and more governments are introducing or enhancing screening mechanisms for inbound investment projects to identify and address perceived threats to national security, particularly investments by state-owned enterprises. What can be done to allow home and host societies to reap the benefits of international investment while addressing the security concerns that inhibit certain investments proposed by SOEs today?

This report provides an overview of national approaches to disclosure and transparency in the state-owned enterprise (SOE) sector in nine Asian economies: Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam.

15 September 2017 - A complaint submitted in 2015 by former workers of Heineken’s subsidiary Bralima in the Democratic Republic of Congo was successfully resolved recently. This article by Roel Nieuwenkamp explains the circumstances and why this agreement is being hailed as historic.

This essay by the OECD's Mats Isaksson and Serdar Çelik traces the evolution of global corporate governance standards and make the case for strong, clear, yet flexible public policy to support capital formation, economic stability, and growth. It is published by the Columbia Law School's Millstein Center for Global Markets and Corporate Ownership on the occasion of the Center’s 10-year anniversary.

Tokyo, Japan - 19-20 October 2017: The 2017 roundtable took place on 19-20 October in Toyko, Japan. This event provides a unique platform to analyse progress and address remaining challenges with respect to the corporate governance framework in Asian economies.

16 November 2017 - The OECD Guidelines on Insurer Governance provide guidance and serve as a reference point for insurers, governmental authorities, and other relevant stakeholders in OECD and non-OECD countries. The Guidelines have been revised and expanded to reflect evolving market practices and updates to international guidance following the financial crisis.

7 December 2017, Paris - This workshop addressed the growing demand for transparency and information on how companies deal with human rights, environmental, social and other "non-financial" issues with a particular focus on how companies are identifying and addressing impacts in their supply chains.

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, this roundtable focused on the impact of the Convention 20 years on, the impact of the Convention on major emerging economies not yet party to the Convention, and the detection of foreign bribery.

Significant corruption, labour, human rights and environmental risks are associated with the organisation of large sporting events. The OECD has instruments and expertise in implementation of complex projects can help host governments, event organisers and their business partners ensure that the world of sport remains associated with the traditional values of excellence and fair play.

This report presents the results of an OECD survey aimed at outlining the key roles of stock exchanges in promoting sound corporate governance in Asia. It focuses on standard-Setting, supervision and enforcement of disclosure obligations and corporate governance rules.

In the wake of the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh in 2013, initiatives to strengthen regulation of global supply chains in the textile and garment sector have multiplied. Tackling the issues involved requires sustained collaboration among industry, government, worker organisations and civil society. This project promotes such collaboration as well as the harmonisation of existing standards in the sector.

30/01/2018 - The China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) and the OECD today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that sets out their commitment to intensify co-operation to promote responsible business in global textile and apparel supply chains.

When companies involve stakeholders, such as local communities, in their decision making, it enables them to identify, and account for the impacts of their activities, and contribute to positive social and economic development. To address the challenges raised when engaging with stakeholders, the OECD is preparing a user guide on how to undertake due diligence in engaging with stakeholders for mining, oil and gas enterprises.

This report is part of a series of assessments on Colombian gold supply chains and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. It analyses conditions of mineral extraction and related risks.

16 February 2018 - OECD and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a pilot project in Paris today to kick-start the practical application of the OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains with 30 leading enterprises.

8 March 2018, Paris - On the occasion of International Woman's Day, senior decision-makers from the public and corporate worlds, experts, academics and stakeholders considered different policy approaches and implementation tools on how to close gender gaps in the private sector.

This report builds on national reviews of seven countries in Southeast Asia. It looks at common challenges across the region and at the interplay between regional initiatives and national reforms.

Drawing inspiration from 'Fearless Girl', the diminutive and plucky bronze statue that’s been staring down the 3-ton ‘Charging Bull’ on Wall Street for the past year, OECD’s Mathilde Mesnard and Bill Below highlight the importance of gender diversity in corporate leadership.

Paris, 12 March 2018 - The fourth annual OECD Investment Treaty Conference addressed treaty shopping -- a controversial investment treaty issue of policy interest for many governments and stakeholders -- and explored tools to help interested governments improve their investment treaty policies.

This report provides an overview of national practices to professionalise boards of directors by examining relevant legislation, policies and practices applicable to state-owned enterprises in a sample of OECD countries and developing and emerging economies.

27-28 March 2018, Paris: Under the theme “Planet Integrity”, the Forum will debate how integrity cultivates a level playing field for business, reduces socio-economic inequalities, and makes public policies more effective - enhancing the benefits of globalisation for all.

The consultation on appointing authorities and the selection of arbitrators in investor-state dispute settlement paper and comments received are being made available in order to foster informed public and inter-governmental debate.

In conflict or high-risk areas, the exploitation of natural mineral resources companies involved in mining and trade in minerals have the potential to generate income, growth and prosperity, but may also be at risk of directly or indirectly fuelling armed conflict, gross violations of human rights, and impeding economic and social development.

The OECD Due Diligence Guidance is being used as the basis and benchmark by many industry initiatives created to ensure the responsible sourcing of minerals. This report presents the findings of a pilot alignment assessment of five industry programmes against the recommendations of the OECD Guidance to gauge the coherence, effectiveness and credibility of these initiatives.

This annual, multi-stakeholder forum provides the opportunity to review and discuss compliance and implementation of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, the ICGLR Regional Certification Mechanism and other initiatives to enable responsible mineral supply chains.

The FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index (FDI Index) measures statutory restrictions on foreign direct investment in 68 countries, including all OECD and G20 countries, and covers 22 sectors.

Ministers from OECD and developing economies have committed to step up their efforts to promote responsible business conduct by companies in order to drive more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises recommend that enterprises conduct due diligence in order to identify, prevent or mitigate and account for how actual and potential adverse impacts are addressed. This Due Diligence Guidance provides practical support to enterprises by providing plain language explanations of due diligence recommendations and associated provisions.

Governments adhering to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are required to set up a National Contact Point (NCP) that functions in a visible, accessible, transparent and accountable manner. This report contains a peer review of the Chilean NCP, mapping its strengths and accomplishments and also identifying opportunities for improvement.

Governments adhering to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are required to set up a National Contact Point that functions in a visible, accessible, transparent and accountable manner. This report contains a peer review of the French NCP, mapping its strengths and accomplishments and also identifying opportunities for improvement.

Governments adhering to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are required to set up a National Contact Point (NCP) that functions in a visible, accessible, transparent and accountable manner. This report contains a peer review of the German NCP, mapping its strengths and accomplishments and also identifying opportunities for improvement.

The Latin American Corporate Governance Roundtable was established in April 2000 in order to facilitate public and private sector policy dialogue by providing a forum for the exchange of experiences.

The annual reports on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises provide an account of the actions the adhering governments have taken over the previous 12 months to enhance the contribution of the guidelines to the improved functioning of the global economy.

This study explores the role of the National Contact Points in dealing with cases relating to the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises with a particular focus on labour issues and social dialogue.

20-21 June 2018, Paris: The Global Forum is the first multi-stakeholder platform for integrating corporate responsibility questions into the global economic agenda. Governments, business, trade unions and civil society will come together to provide insights and exchange views on how to do well while doing no harm in an effort to contribute to sustainable development and enduring social progress.

On the occasion of the release of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance on Responsible Business Conduct, the OECD’s Tyler Gillard looks at how governments can encourage international standards of responsible business conduct in business activities and supply chains.

20 June 2018 - This Liber Amicorum was prepared for Roel Nieuwenkamp. It offers a wide-ranging and comprehensive message to governments, business, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to collectively widen and deepen the adherence and practice of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises worldwide.

The International Partnership against Corruption in Sport (IPACS), a recently established multi-stakeholder platform, agreed to set up three taskforces to help tackle corruption in sport at its meeting at the OECD in Paris on 14 to 15 December 2017.