IDB and OECD Join Forces to Support Latin America and Caribbean Countries on Path to OECD Membership

PARIS — The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) signed an agreement to strengthen support for countries seeking OECD membership and help other nations align with OECD standards as they pursue key economic and institutional reforms.

Under this agreement, the IDB will offer financial and technical cooperation to countries at different stages of OECD engagement. This includes tailored support for those already on the accession path—through investment policy reviews, responsible business conduct assessments, public sector training, and innovation strategies. 

At the same time, the IDB will work with a broader set of countries to advance policy reforms that prepare them for potential accession, focusing on structural improvements, institutional capacity, and economic competitiveness.

“This agreement expands the IDB’s role in supporting Latin America and the Caribbean countries that are engaging with the OECD—with tools to strengthen institutions, improve policy frameworks, and meet global standards. This partnership is a key step as the IDB continues to bridge the region with the world,” said IDB President Ilan Goldfajn.

“The OECD and the IDB have built a close and effective partnership across Latin America and the Caribbean,” said OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. “Together, we produce cutting-edge analytical work on governance and development, and regularly convene regional policymakers on issues such as integrity and regulatory reform. I am pleased to take this cooperation a step further and appreciate the IDB’s continued support as countries across the region increase their alignment with OECD standards and good practices.”

The agreement also deepens operational links between the two institutions through joint work in IDB regional programs such as ONE Caribbean, América en el Centro, Amazonia Forever, and South Connection. The IDB and OECD will collaborate on data collection, co-publications, and participation in key policy networks. A recent example is the 2024 launch of the inaugural Caribbean Development Dynamics report.

Beyond technical assistance, the partnership will expand joint training, staff exchanges, and high-level forums such as the annual LAC Forum, co-organized with the French Development Agency. The two organizations will also work together through platforms like the OECD’s International Transport Forum (ITF), the Business at OECD Latin America and the Caribbean Contact Group, and BID for the Americas.

This agreement builds on more than a decade of collaboration between the IDB and OECD, aligning efforts to drive structural reforms, support development finance, and strengthen institutions across the region.