The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

The OECD, as an organisation, has a twofold activity of administrator of legal instruments, notably in the field of investment and movement of capitals, and "think tank" or discussion forum on emerging issues which are of relevance for its members.

It has recently developed initiatives and discussions on specific topics which are directly relevant to the audio-visual sector, such as multilateral rules on investment, invisible transactions and electronic commerce.

Electronic Commerce

The OECD members have launched a reflection on electronic commerce whose highlight was the Ottawa Ministerial Conference held in October 1998. The conference brought together Ministers of OECD member governments, observers from non-member countries, the heads of major international organisations, industry leaders, and representatives of consumer, labour and social interests for the purpose of furthering their plans to promote the global development of electronic commerce.

Investment, Movement of Capitals, Invisible Transactions

The OECD administers instruments related to international investment, invisible transactions and movement of capitals, such as the legally binding Codes of liberalisation, or guidelines for multinational enterprises. The absence of consensus around the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) in 1998 has postponed the elaboration in the OECD of multilateral rules on foreign direct investment.