The United States has always played a key role in the OECD. As one of its founding members in 1961, the Organization was established as the successor to the Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC), the institution created to implement the Marshall Plan in the wake of World War II.

Today, the Organization’s members include 30 market economy democracies from around the world; as well, it formally collaborates with more than 70 developing and emerging economies. Among international organizations, the OECD is the strongest, most effective proponent of open, competitive, innovative market economies.

Working closely with the 30 OECD member countries, over 70 non-members, and international partners such as the World Trade Organization, the Bretton Woods organizations, the European Commission and the G8, the OECD is uniquely placed to advance U.S. foreign policy and the President’s vision for Transformational Diplomacy around the globe.

Through its ground-breaking public policy research, ‘soft law,’ and effective peer reviews, the OECD is a dynamic international incubator for new ideas, providing the United States an unparalleled opportunity for influencing other countries.

1. The OECD's Export Credit and Tied Aid disciplines save the U.S. Government over $800 million per year, according to the U.S. Treasury. The Treasury Department also estimates that U.S. exports of capital goods are higher by at least $1 billion a year as a result of the tied aid rules agreed to at the OECD.

2. The OECD negotiated and is implementing the Anti-Bribery Convention, which essentially internationalizes the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, leveling the playing field for U.S. business around the world.

3. The OECD’s model tax treaty and transfer pricing tax work sets a world standard, facilitating trade and investment while helping avoid double taxation. This work is strongly supported by the private sector.

4. The OECD's work setting international standards for testing chemicals saves business and governments over $60 million annually.

5. The OECD’s sister agency, the International Energy Agency (IEA), is the primary vehicle to maintain oil market stability in times of crisis. This was reflected in the decision by the IEA countries to activate its emergency response plan, releasing 60 million barrels of oil, calming the market and moderating the price rise in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, saving the U.S. and other IEA economies hundreds of millions of dollars per day.

6. The OECD has responded quickly to the challenges of terrorism.

   • It was called upon to assess the impacts on trade, financial markets, the insurance industry and the global economy of the terrorist attacks of September 11.

   • It has done pioneering work on increasing the security of information networks and is partnering with other organizations to improve the security of transportation systems.

   • It has launched an initiative to share information on biosecurity to help promote responsible stewardship in the biosciences and to avoid the potential abuse of research and resources.

7. The OECD has developed a series of Information Technology “rules of the game” that build security and trust for the on-line environment. Examples of high profile work include Spam Task Force; Internet traffic exchange; and work on privacy.

8. The OECD is conducting research on the harmful effects of counterfeiting on governments, business and consumers. The work focuses on counterfeit and pirated products as well as patent and design infringements.

9. The OECD’s economic analysis and surveillance is among the best in the world. Its valuable Economic Outlook projections promote economic growth though structural and regulatory reform throughout the world.

10. The OECD promotes open, competitive markets. In line with the U.S. trade agenda, OECD support of the Doha Agenda is designed to advocate the benefits of free trade to all countries, so that our developing country partners will join us at the negotiating table in all areas of the trade agenda.

11. The OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) provides a forum for coordinating all major donor countries. It provides the U.S. with a platform to develop broader international recognition and support for its aid efforts and policy priorities. The DAC deals with U.S. priorities, such as aid effectiveness, engagement in fragile states and the link between security and development. In December 2006, the DAC completed a peer review of U.S. aid policies and programs, previously reviewed in 2002.

12. The OECD’s work on coping with the challenges of aging societies and reforming entitlement systems is highly regarded by governments and non-governmental organizations alike.

13. The OECD Secretariat joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to present the Environmental Performance Review of the U.S. in January 2006. The review assesses the achievements and challenges of U.S. environmental policies.

14. The OECD developed ‘Principles of Corporate Governance’ which are now used around the world as the basis for corporate governance policies. In addition, the OECD ‘Multinational Enterprise Guidelines’ are the only government approved principles for corporate social responsibility. Both were developed in cooperation with business, labor and private organizations.

15. At OECD, the Department of Justice and FTC co-operate with their counterparts to promote competition, fight cartels, judge more effectively the impact of mergers and acquisitions on competition and smooth the way for international business mergers and investments.

16. In practically all areas of its work, the OECD has programs to provide developing and transition countries with help and advice on building healthy market economies and improving their standard of governance. Significant engagement through OECD’s outreach efforts with these countries has helped advance U.S. transformational diplomacy goals to promote a fundamentally free market economy agenda.

17. The OECD runs extensive programs to improve governance and the environment for investment.

    • The OECD’s largest country programs, with Russia and China, cover areas such as competition, corporate and public governance, tax, regulatory, and economic reform.

    • At the request of the G8 Summit, the OECD is increasing its work with Africa, particularly in support of the NEPAD initiative.

    • OECD Global Forums cover areas such as governance, investment, taxation, competition, agriculture, trade, knowledge economy and sustainable development.

To this day, the OECD delivers tangible, accountable benefits to the United States in a magnitude far greater than our financial contribution to the Organization. Most importantly, the OECD’s far-reaching work continues to mirror the agenda of the United States, enabling the U.S. to influence both members and non-members alike.