Switzerland represented at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris

Bern, 06.10.2021 - Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, the head of the Federal Department of Finance FDF, represented Switzerland at the 2021 Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris on 5 and 6 October. He was attending on behalf of President Guy Parmelin and was accompanied by the Director of SECO, State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch.

Under the motto of 'Shared Values: Building a Green and Inclusive Future', participants shared lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and discussed impending global challenges that countries will have to address within the framework of their shared values. Federal Councillor Maurer argued that open markets, the rule of law and a level playing field must remain the cornerstones of the global competitive system. He called on member states to stand up for these values.

Part of the ministerial meeting was devoted to the OECD/G20 project on the taxation of the digital economy. Federal Councillor Maurer again emphasised that any multilateral solution must also take into account the needs of small and economically strong countries.

Another part of the conference was dedicated to combating climate change. Federal Councillor Maurer emphasised the need to establish transparency on climate risks and their effects on the financial market. Other topics were the challenges of digital transformation and the connection between international trade and labour law obligations.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the entry into force of the OECD Convention, member countries adopted a new vision statement for the OECD for decade ahead. This reaffirms their commitment to upholding individual freedoms, democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights, as well as to an open and transparent market economy.

On the margins of the ministerial meeting, preparations were also made for the upcoming ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which will take place in Geneva from 30 November to 3 December. The WTO members represented at this informal meeting represented all the important interests in the ongoing WTO negotiations. Switzerland was represented by State Secretary Ineichen-Fleisch.


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Last modification 18.12.2020

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