OECD Opens Office in Kyiv, Ukraine

Zelensky "Please Participate in Post-War Reconstruction"
"Will Also Help Ukraine Join the OECD"

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a major economic cooperation forum, has opened an office in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

According to foreign media including AP on the 1st (local time), the Ukrainian government announced in a press release that "from today, the OECD office in Kyiv will begin operations."

The new OECD office in Kyiv is expected to coordinate efforts for Ukraine's reconstruction and assist in introducing and implementing OECD systems, standards, and recommendations.

The Ukrainian government stated, "The office will operate provisionally until 2026," and expressed hope that "the opening of the office will also aid Ukraine's accession to the OECD."

Earlier, on the 28th of last month, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann announced the opening of the office during a joint briefing in Kyiv.

At that time, Prime Minister Shmyhal said, "We are working together to develop a program that will visualize Ukraine's roadmap to OECD membership," and welcomed Secretary-General Cormann's proposal to sign such a program as early as June.

Secretary-General Cormann emphasized that his visit to Kyiv was a sign of solidarity with Ukraine, which is facing difficulties due to Russia's invasion. He also highly praised Ukraine's ongoing reform efforts and promised support.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after meeting with Secretary-General Cormann that day, posted on social media that "the opening of the office will be an important step in mutual cooperation," and appealed for OECD representatives to participate in Ukraine's post-war recovery process. He also requested OECD experts to participate in the seizure of Russian assets held within member countries.

Meanwhile, the OECD is an international organization established in 1961 with the purpose of promoting joint development of the global economy and jointly addressing international economic issues. Currently, 38 member countries, including Western advanced nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, as well as South Korea, Japan, and Israel, are members.