Created at the request of MENA countries in 2005, the Initiative facilitates co-operation between the OECD and the MENA region to promote policies for sustainable and inclusive growth. It brings together MENA and OECD governments, the international community, civil society and the private sector to address regional needs and development priorities, including the integration of women and youth through jobs and greater participation in policy making. It also takes into account the region’s diversity by providing targeted support to individual countries.

The Initiative builds on the OECD’s work method of policy dialogue, exchange of good practices and capacity building for the implementation of reforms.

• Download the Initiative fact sheet
• Visit the Events page for upcoming activities

2023 MENA-OECD Intiative Steering Group: Fostering Resilience to Global Challenges in MENA
2021 MENA-OECD Ministerial Conference: Designing a Roadmap to Recovery in MENA
2019 MENA-OECD Days
2018 MENA-OECD Initiative Steering Group: Governance and Competitiveness Reforms for a More Inclusive and Resilient Region
2016 MENA-OECD Ministerial Conference

The overall strategic goal of the Initiative is to build dialogue, trust and stability in support of inclusive, sustainable and competitive economies. The Ministerial Declaration, adopted on 1 April 2021, provides strategic responses to achieve this goal. It reflects a common understanding of economic and governance challenges, and sets guiding principles and mutual commitments for collaboration between MENA and OECD countries for the next mandate of the Initiative (2021-25).  

• Read the Declaration
  

The Initiative covers Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

MENA-OECD Competitiveness Programme

The Competitiveness Programme supports reforms to mobilise investment, private sector development and entrepreneurship as driving forces for inclusive growth and employment in the MENA region, building also on the need to mainstream the region’s increasingly well trained youth and women. 

Read about the Programme

MENA-OECD Governance Programme

The Governance Programme supports public sector reforms in view of unlocking social and economic development and of meeting citizens’ growing expectations in terms of quality services, inclusive policy making and transparency.

Read about the Programme

Fostering resilience to global challenges in the MENA region

16 May 2023

The Steering Group provides the operational and strategic direction for the Initiative. The 2023 meeting focused on regional priorities in the face of global challenges and boosting sustainable and inclusive development in MENA, in particular to advance the green transition. The Steering Group brought together officials from MENA and OECD governments to explore collaborative initiatives that can help the region build more efficient and integrated economies. Find out more

The discussions will drew on the main conclusions of the MENA-OECD Forums on Governance and Competitiveness, which took place on 15 May 2023, also at the OECD in Paris.