In 1961, a quiet revolution began in Paris when the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development created a new entity that defied the standard hierarchy of international relations. The OECD Development Centre was established not merely as a think tank, but as an independent platform where developing economies could sit at the same table as wealthy industrialized nations. This was a radical departure from the era's typical dynamic, where the Global North dictated terms to the Global South. The Centre allowed these countries to interact on an equal footing, creating a unique space for policy dialogue and knowledge sharing that did not exist elsewhere in the international system. The initial membership was small, comprising only OECD member countries, but the vision was expansive enough to eventually include 54 countries today. The founding moment set a precedent that would influence how global development policy was discussed for decades to come, prioritizing mutual exchange over one-way aid.
The Expanding Circle of Nations
The membership of the Development Centre grew slowly but deliberately, transforming from a closed club of Western nations into a truly global coalition. Brazil joined in March 1994, marking the first significant expansion beyond the original OECD members. India followed in February 2001, and Romania joined in October 2004, signaling a shift toward including major emerging economies. The list of new members continued to expand with specific dates that marked turning points in global economic integration. Thailand became a member in March 2005, followed by South Africa in May 2006. The pace accelerated in 2008 when Egypt and Viet Nam joined in March, and Indonesia in February 2009. By 2009, the Centre had added Mauritius, Morocco, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. The expansion continued through 2015, with China joining in July, a move that brought the world's second-largest economy into the fold. By 2019, the membership included El Salvador, Guatemala, Togo, Rwanda, and Ecuador. Today, 25 OECD member countries and 29 non-OECD member countries participate, including Albania, which joined most recently in June 2023. The European Union also takes part in the work of the Governing Board, adding another layer to the complex diplomatic architecture.The Global Forum on Development
The heart of the Centre's operational work lies in the Global Forum on Development, a high-level venue that brings together policy makers and civil society to exchange perspectives on poverty reduction and social cohesion. In 2013 and 2014, the forum focused on preparing for the Post-2015 World, exploring challenges and opportunities for fostering progress. The forum attracts participation from governments, international organisations, civil society, foundations, think tanks, the media, corporations, and academia. Regional International Economic Forums for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and forthcoming forums for Asia further expand the reach of these dialogues. The Centre leads efforts across the OECD Secretariat to establish a multi-year process of knowledge sharing and policy dialogue between OECD and partner countries facing similar development challenges. This includes the OECD Network for Policy dialogue on Natural-resource Driven Development and the OECD Network for Policy Dialogue on Global Value Chains. These networks attract experts as members and offer opportunities for the Governing Board to participate in open sessions. The Network of Multinationals, known as EmNet, focuses on emerging markets, while netFWD brings together foundations working on development. The Network of Heads of Communication and Information in DAC Development Agencies, called DevCom, shares good practices and engages in peer learning on how effectively to raise public awareness and communicate about development cooperation.