Good morning, everyone,
It is a great pleasure and honour to be with all of you today, at the Château de la Muette, on what is my first visit to this institution as a Head of State. It is not, however, my first time here because, as the Prince of Asturias, I had the opportunity to come here in 2007 −also in March− to meet with the Council and S.G. Angel Gurría. I have wonderful memories of that time. I was fulfilling “my long-held dream”, as I said then, of visiting the Organization “to learn about its work more closely and in greater depth”. So much had I read about it, back in the mid 90’s as a graduate student in International Relations. You may not know, but you current Director of the Drlpmt Centre and I shared class rooms…
At the end of last year, I visited the IMF in Washington, where I met with its Managing Director; and just before that −in October−, I went to the ECB in Frankfurt, to meet with its President and the other members of the Executive Board.
In both cases, I was well briefed about the general economic outlook, together with the many measures and initiatives taken in a context of enormous complexity at the international level. This visit here in Paris follows suit and is also an example of Spain's solid commitment to multilateralism and to the fundamental objectives of the OECD. Thank you so much, Mr. Secretary-General, for your kind invitation and for your words of welcome.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Back to my visit in 2007, the scene may seem familiar to this one, but the actors and the script have changed a great deal, becoming much more complex (to say the least…). At that time, we did −or could− not know that we would have to face one financial crisis, a pandemic, a war in Europe, a high inflation situation and an energy crisis… All in a somewhat “messy reshaping” –once again− of the world order.
We knew change was happening fast; but not how fast, how deep and what kind of grave and unexpected hurdles we would face. We were also not aware of how far we would be in the midst of several transitions: the energy transition, the digital transition and another as important, —but perhaps less referred to— a demographic transition.
Throughout all tohse unexpected events, we highly appreciate the enormous work that the OECD performs and its tremendous practical relevance, not only for its member countries, but also for the world at large.
Particularly, I would like to refer to the OECD’s reaction, as an institution and as member countries, to the pandemic. In no time, you suggested the same answers for all our countries based primarily on the protection of workers and the productive framework.
Equally unanimous was the way you handled the exit from the pandemic, through the recovery process. Indeed, the aim of “building back better” was a shared one and, across our countries, we put it to work. It soon emerged that “building back better” clearly meant a strong, green, digital and inclusive growth.
The next important episode in these complex times was Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Once more, the OECD’s answer was swift and unequivocal, not only condemning the aggression but isolating Russia from all activities of the OECD, and declaring Ukraine prospective member for accession when the time comes, establishing a new office in Kiev and, most importantly, committing the OECD to collaborate first hand in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine when the moment arrives.
In this troubled period, the OECD has shown to be a very dynamic organization that answers speedily to all the unexpected challenges that have occurred, leading to the growing trust that our member countries have in the organization as a pathfinder, and as a central piece of global governance.
Now the situation continues to be complex. In front of the outburst of inflation, the OECD signals that very targeted fiscal stimuli should be used to protect the more exposed segments in our societies. Vis-a-vis the energy crisis, it is constantly working along with the International Energy Agency to prepare the world for the next winter. And along with the WTO, it is now concerned about how to avoid protectionism and defend open trade when globalization has shown several shortcomings.
This leads me to another important issue of our times.
The war in Ukraine has unveiled a new geopolitical landscape on many grounds. Democracy, individual liberties and human rights are –no question− under severe threat.
"...We are genuinely and widely proud of our EU membership, proud of its drive to maintain an open autonomous strategy, as of its will to maintain and nurture our strong transatlantic ties, which we work to enhance and even like to look at with a wider perspective... this is both proof and consequence of our deep belief in democracy and human rights. So we are also proud of defending the common values they carry; proud of being a welcoming and friendly country to all those who want to enjoy our modern infrastructures, our historical heritage, modern communications and transports systems, our climate and our quality of life. All of this is a true blessing, but it also owes much to hard work and certainly comes with responsibilities we do not elude, towards our friends and allies, and to the international community... to address those responsibilities effectively while defending our legitimate ambitions, and to expect other nations to do the same −in this growingly complex, uncertain and interdependent world−, we strongly believe that the best way is to work constructively though and with multilateral institutions... therefore, you cannot be surprised to hear from me today, as Head of State, that Spain is deeply proud to be an active member of the OECD, always committed to better policies for better lives..."
Today, in addressing this, I would like to remember the words of JF Kennedy, when he suggested the creation of the Development Center of the OECD and addressed the question of development in his speech at the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa in May 1961: (quote) “For our historic task in this embattled age is not merely to defend freedom. It is to extend its writ and strengthen its covenant-to peoples of different cultures and creeds and colours, whose policy or economic system may differ from ours, but whose desire to be free is no less fervent than our own” (unquote). This outgoing attitude, this drive to extend freedom to people whose policy or economic systems may differ from ours, not only remains, but we all should also aim to reinforce it. It truly involves a renewed effort to build bridges with all emerging and developing countries.
The pandemic, the war of aggression of Russia on Ukraine and its consequences in terms of inflation, or disruption and bottlenecks in the supply chains, among others…, have also revealed a new geopolitical scenario of competition among differing political systems in vast regions of Africa, Latin America and the Indo-Pacific. In the race to build alliances and partnerships, the role of the OECD Development Center thar just last year turned 60 as a “bridge builder” becomes ever more relevant.
In particular, let me highlight your efforts to set up a “partnership” with Africa. It is noteworthy that you have labelled them as a Partnership and not as a Program. By doing so, you actually send out several important messages: like aiming, above all, to build a relationship of mutual trust with Africa.
As I was able to point out on my recent State Visit to Angola, that with Africa it is time to “co-create”, to deal with each other on equal footing, to work looking openly for mutual benefits and common interests. In this sense; you can count on Spain as a partner with a strong will to help its neighbours, −as shown with our initiative on the establishment of the African Investment Observatory−, to cope with the rapid demographic growth that they are experiencing, and that should be matched by an even bigger sustainable economic growth.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The OECD works steadfastly to give the term “development” the importance it deserves, which is essential if this organisation is to remain a pathfinder in the international governance system.
However, what is even more important is that the OECD, while dealing with all these important issues, it is being able −at the same time− to tackle the transitions of our times, the energy and digital transitions.
From the outside, one can observe a great deal of activity in the area of climate change and biodiversity at the OECD. I would like to take the opportunity to salute the IPAC, the International Program for Action on Climate:
Through regular monitoring, policy evaluation and feedback on results and best practices, IPAC is helping countries strengthen and co-ordinate their climate action. Most importantly, we are aware of the great success that the launch of the Inclusive Forum for Carbon Mitigation Approaches meant, with more than 100 countries joining the initiative of reporting about their efforts in this area and the likely impact that they will have for the decarbonisation of the world at large. With all the efforts put into horizontal programs, the OECD is becoming an important engine of the green transition worldwide.
Similarly, the work done by the OECD in the field of digitalization and artificial intelligence is notable. I had the opportunity of meeting with many members and executives in charge of this area in the Canary Islands last December, for the Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting, and I know of the work that through the years the OECD is undertaking in this vital area. Your contributions are crucial for the future of the transition, and now the new avenues have opened up with the work on rights in the digital era and on the setting up of the Global Forum on Technology, that is being sponsored by the US, UK and Spain.
Spain, like all Member States, greatly benefits from the thorough work of the OECD, in all the areas mentioned so far. All the ministries in the Government, even many regional and local authorities, collaborate with the OECD and benefit from its work.
Ladies and gentlemen, dear all,
We are genuinely and widely proud of our EU membership, proud of its drive to maintain an open autonomous strategy, as of its will to maintain and nurture our strong transatlantic ties, which we work to enhance and even like to look at with a wider perspective.
This is both proof and consequence of our deep belief in democracy and human rights. So we are also proud of defending the common values they carry; proud of being a welcoming and friendly country to all those who want to enjoy our modern infrastructures, our historical heritage, modern communications and transports systems, our climate and our quality of life. All of this is a true blessing, but it also owes much to hard work and certainly comes with responsibilities we do not elude, towards our friends and allies, and to the international community.
To address those responsibilities effectively while defending our legitimate ambitions, and to expect other nations to do the same −in this growingly complex, uncertain and interdependent world−, we strongly believe that the best way is to work constructively though and with multilateral institutions.
Therefore, you cannot be surprised to hear from me today, as Head of State, that Spain is deeply proud to be an active member of the OECD, always committed to better policies for better lives.
I wish you all every success in this undertaking. Thank you very much.