Ministerial Meeting 2018: International trade and investment for strong and inclusive growth

 

Item 9: international trade and investment for strong and inclusive growth

 Thursday 31 May 2018 - 13:30


This session established a diagnosis of the current difficulties facing multilateral co-operation in terms of both trade and international investment. 


Discussions reviewed the tools available to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders, not only in social, environmental and tax matters but also in regard to the responsible conduct of governments, in particular in terms of competition, government funding and assistance, trade and investment policies, and addressing overcapacity.


The central role of businesses was underlined, including through the wider dissemination and the promotion of the use of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Due Diligence Guidances for Reponsible Business Conduct.

 

Breakout group 1 – Reshaping an open system for trade and investment in a multilateral framework

The breakout group discussed the following:

  • How can the OECD help opening up trade and investment with multilateral tools?

  • How can we collectively move forward to improve the conditions of competition?

  • How can we meet the challenges and opportunities of digital commercial trade?


Breakout group 2 – Promoting social and environmental objectives in trade and investment, as well as better business conduct at the international level

The breakout group discussed the following:

  • How can multilateral forums on trade and investment engage with partner organisations to consider social, tax, environmental and responsible business conduct standards in international trade?

  • How can we help break down interdisciplinary barriers in order to ensure that environmental and social policy objectives are taken into account in international trade negotiations with a view to promoting the well-being of populations and the transition to a low-carbon economy?

  • How can responsible business conduct be strengthened?


Breakout group 3 – Meeting the challenge of combating corruption at the international level

The breakout group discussed the following:

  • How can we best use and promote accession to existing instruments and standards to fight corruption?

  • What are the main gaps in the coverage provided by the multilateral instruments used to combat corruption?

 

DOCUMENTS

  • Key Issues Paper
    For reference: C/MIN(2018)2

  • Draft Recommendation of the Council on the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct
    For reference: C/MIN(2018)13


FURTHER READING

 

 

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