Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Courtesy call on Prime Minister TAKAICHI by Mr. Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On May 12, commencing at 4:30 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, received a courtesy call from Mr. Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD, who is visiting Japan as a guest of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
- At the outset, Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that, amid increasing uncertainty in the international situation, the value of the OECD, as a forum for advanced policy dialogue among Member countries having shared values, has grown even more significant. Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that she welcomed the issuance of the “Japan-OECD Cooperation Plan on Economic Security” and expressed her expectations that Japan and the OECD would work together to lead discussions in the international community based on this plan. In response, Secretary-General Cormann stated that Japan is a very important and reliable partner for the OECD, and that he is very much looking forward to working together to advance this cooperation plan.
- Prime Minister TAKAICHI also emphasized that the OECD’s support for the Southeast Asian region across various areas aligns with the updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and Japan would continue to lead the OECD’s outreach to Southeast Asia through the “Southeast Asia Regional Program (SEARP).” In response, Secretary-General Cormann expressed gratitude for Japan’s great contribution to the outreach to Southeast Asia and stated his intention to advance OECD activities in close coordination with Japan’s continued cooperation.
- Both sides welcomed the holding of the 8th World Forum on Well-being by the Government of Japan and the OECD in 2028 and also confirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and working closely across a wide range of areas, including economic security.
(Reference1) Attachment
Japan-OECD Cooperation Plan on Economic Security (English (PDF)
/ Japanese (Provisional Translation) (PDF))
The document issued between Japan (Ambassador of the Permanent Delegation of Japan to the OECD) and the OECD (Secretary-General) to confirm cooperation on economic security on the occasion of the Secretary-General’s visit to Japan.
(Reference2) OECD Southeast Asia Regional Program (SEARP)
The program designed to promote regional integration by encouraging Southeast Asian countries to participate in OECD rules and standards and undertake domestic reforms through policy dialogues between the OECD and ASEAN member countries. Its launch was decided at the 2014 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (chaired by Japan) in the presence of then-Prime Minister ABE. From its inception until 2018, Japan served as co-chair with Indonesia, leading the program’s operations. The current co-chairs are Canada and the Philippines.