Ambassador Kirk met with the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) this morning, Mr. Angel Gurría, to discuss the OECD's work on trade.
Established in 1961 and headquartered in Paris, the OECD is comprised of 31 democracies in Europe, North America, and the Pacific Rim. The OECD member countries account for 72 percent of world gross national income (GNI), 60 percent of world trade, and 95 percent of world official development assistance. The OECD is a policy forum covering a broad spectrum of economic, social, and scientific issues. Its Members share common core values, which include a commitment to democratic values and institutions, the rule of law, and an open, competitive market economy. As part of the OECD, the United States is able to work with member countries to promote trade liberalization, free markets, economic growth and development.
