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Development Centre

We help developing countries and emerging economies find innovative policy solutions to promote sustainable growth, reduce poverty and inequalities, and improve people’s lives. We facilitate a policy dialogue between governments, involving public, private and philanthropic actors. Countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America participate as full members in the Centre, where they interact on an equal footing with OECD members.

Work areas

About the Development Centre

The Development Centre occupies a unique place within the OECD and in the international community. It is a forum where countries share their experience of economic and social development policies. The Centre contributes expert analysis and facilitates the dialogue. The objective is to help decision makers find policy solutions to stimulate growth and improve living conditions in developing and emerging economies.

The Centre’s membership is open to both OECD and non-OECD countries. Members set its Programme of Work and Budget through its Governing Board. The Centre co-operates closely with all OECD sectoral Committees and Directorates - particularly the Development Co-operation Directorate (DCD) and the Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC).

The creation of the OECD Development Centre was proposed by US President John F. Kennedy in an address to the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on 17 May 1961.