OECD & Eurasia
In recent years, all 13 Eurasian countries (Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) have intensified their participation in OECD committees and working groups, peer reviews and studies. The region has increasingly contributed to statistical data collection and international benchmarking exercises such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Investment Policy Reviews and have adhered to international standards and norms developed by the OECD. The OECD Eurasia Competitiveness Programme aims to further deepen the Organisation's engagement with the region.
The co-operation between the OECD and Eurasia covers the following areas:
Agriculture
OECD Initiatives:
Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are active members of the OECD Seed Schemes, which promote the use of agriculture seeds of consistently high quality.
OECD Publications:
- Both Kazakhstan and Ukraine are included in the OECD’s annual Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation report, which estimates support to agriculture and evaluates the related impacts.
- The OECD and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) annually publish a joint Agricultural Outlook, which examines the medium-term outlook for global agricultural commodity markets.
- Monitoring the Development of Agricultural Co-operatives in Kazakhstan (2019) English | Russian
Agriculture data
Digitalisation
OECD Publications:
- Beyond COVID-19: Advancing Digital Business Transformation in the Eastern Partner Countries
- Promoting Enterprise Digitalisation in Azerbaijan
- Fostering Business Development and Digitalisation in Georgia
- Digital Skills for Private Sector Competitiveness in Uzbekistan
- Improving Framework Conditions for the Digital Transformation of Businesses in Kazakhstan
OECD Initiatives:
Education and Skills
Education data
OECD Initiatives:
- Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova & Ukraine participated in the 2018 round)
- Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) (Kazakhstan & Georgia)
- OECD Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) (Kazakhstan)
- Future of Education and Skills 2030 (Kazakhstan)
- OECD-Russia Technical Assistance Project on Financial Education in the Commonwealth and Independent States (CIS) (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan)
OECD Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC).
OECD Publications:
- PISA 2018 (2019)
- OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Georgia (2019)
- Kazakhstan: Monitoring Skills Development through Occupational Standards (2019) English | Russian
- Ukraine Capacity Building Plan (2018)
- OECD Reviews of Integrity in Education: Ukraine 2017
- Higher Education in Kazakhstan 2017 (English | Russian)
- Starting Strong V: Transition from Early Childhood Education and Care to Primary Education Kazakhstan (2017)
- Early Childhood Education and Care Staff Recruitement Retention – Kazakhstan (2017)
- Ukraine Capacity Needs Analysis (2016) (English | Ukrainian)
- Reviews of National Policies for Education: Kyrgyz Republic 2010: Lessons from PISA (2010) (English | Russian)
Entrepreneurship and Competition
OECD Initiatives:
- OECD Eurasia Competitiveness Programme assisting the 13 Eurasia countries in the design and implementation of policies to improve their business climates.
- OECD Eurasia Competitiveness Roundtable providing a platform for peer review and knowledge sharing on the implementation of reforms to strengthen competitiveness in the Eurasia countries.
- OECD-GVH Regional Centre for Competition in Budapest (RCC), a joint initiative of the OECD and the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH), working with Eurasia countries to disseminate best practices in competition law and policy, and to facilitate networking and international co-operation among the beneficiary countries.
- OECD Global Forum on Competition annually providing a forum for high-level competition authorities to discuss the benefits of well-designed competition law, effective enforcement and competition-based economic reform to promote growth and employment.
OECD Publications:
- SME Policy Index: Eastern Partner Countries 2020
- Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs 2019
- Boosting private sector development and entrepreneurship in Afghanistan (2019) English | Dari
- Azerbaijan: Driving Diversification through Strengthened Entrepreneurship (2019) English | Azeri
- Azerbaijan: Linking Domestic Suppliers with Foreign Investors (2019) English | Azeri
- Monitoring Georgia’s SME Development Strategy 2016-2020 (2019) English | Russian
- Compendium of Enterprise Statistics in Armenia 2018 English | Armenian
- Compendium of Enterprise Statistics in Ukraine 2018 English | Ukrainian
- SME and Entrepreneurship Policy in Kazakhstan 2018
- SME Policy Index: Eastern Partner Countries 2016
- OECD Reviews of Competition Law and Policy in Kazakhstan 2016
- OECD Reviews of Competition Law and Policy in Ukraine 2016
Fiscal Policy
OECD Initiatives:
- Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Package, aims to close gaps in international tax rules that allow multinational enterprises to shift profits to low or no-tax jurisdictions.
- BEPS Inclusive Framework (Georgia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine) monitors and supports the implementation of the BEPS Project.
- Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent BEPS has been signed by Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
- , works to ensure the implementation of the internationally agreed standards of transparency and exchange of information on tax through in-depth peer reviews.
- OECD Tax Inspectors without borders (Georgia) works to enhance countries’ ability to bolster domestic revenue collection through strengthening tax audit capacities.
OECD Publications:
- Revenue Statistics in Asian Countries 2017 (Kazakhastan)
- Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes:
Kazakhstan 2018 (Second Round)
Azerbaijan 2016 (First Round)
Georgia 2016 (First Round)
Ukraine 2016 (First Round)
Kazakhstan 2015 (First Round)
OECD data
Gender
OECD Publications:
- SIGI 2019 Regional Report for Eurasia
- Gender Policy Delivery in Kazakhstan (2017)
- Eurasia Week 2018 Background Note Promoting Gender Equality in Eurasia
- Eurasia Week 2018 Summary Record Shaping the Future through Better Policies for Gender Equality
- Gender Gaps in Eurasia: The daunting effects of COVID-19
Green Growth and Sustainable Development
OECD Initiatives:
- OECD GREEN Action Programme supports the EECCA countries in integrating environmental considerations into reform processes and strengthening institutional and human capacities for environmental management.
- OECD GREEN Action Task Force, building on the Green Action Programme, this new platform promotes green finance & investment, water management and green industry in the EECCA countries.
- OECD Declaration on Green Growth (Georgia and Kazakhstan)
- OECD Policy Dialogue on Natural Resource-based Development
- OECD-EU Water Initiative
OECD Publications on Green Finance and Investment:
- Measuring Green Finance Flows in Kazakhstan (2020)
- Sustainable Infrastructure for Low-Carbon Development in Central Asia and the Caucasus (2019)
- Access to Green Finance for SMEs in Georgia (2019)
- Promoting Clean Urban Public Transportation in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova : Summary Report of Project Implementation 2016-2019 (2019)
- Extended Producer Responsibility in Kazakhstan: Review and Recommendations (2019)
- Addressing Industrial Air Pollution in Kazakhstan: Reforming Environmental Payments Policy Guidelines (2019)
- Environmental Policy Toolkit for SME Greening in EU Eastern Partnership Countries (2018)
- Access to Private Finance for Green Investments: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Financing in Ukraine (2018)
- Mobilising Finance for Climate Action in Georgia (2018)
- Inventory of Energy Subsidies in the EU’s Eastern Partnership countries (2018)
- Financing Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production by SMEs: A Stakeholder’s Guidbook (2018)
- Promoting Clean Urban Public Transportation and Green Investment in Kazakhstan (2017)
- Environmental Lending in EU Eastern Partnership countries (2016)
- Creating Incentives for Greener Products: A Policy Manual for Eastern Partnership Countries (2015)
International Energy Agency:
The International Energy Agency (IEA) works with many Eurasia countries in the areas of energy policy and statistics.
The IEA also supports the EU’s EU4Energy Programme.
IEA Publications:
OECD Publications on Water:
- Enhancing the Economic Regulatory System for Moldova’s Water Supply and Sanitation (2019)
- Strengthening Shardara Multi-Purpose Water Infrastructure in Kazakhstan (2018)
- Facilitating the Reform of Economic Instruments for Water Management in Georgia (2018)
- Energy Subsidy Reform in the Republic of Moldova: Energy Affordability, Fiscal and Environmental Impacts (2018)
- Improving Domestic Financial Support Mechanisms in Moldova's Water and Sanitation Sector (2017)
- Reforming Sanitation in Armenia: Towards a National Strategy (2017)
- Sustainable Business Models for Water Supply and Sanitation in Small Towns and Rual Settlements in Kazakhstan (2016)
- Reforming Economic Instruments for Water Resources Management in Kyrgyzstan (2016)
Innovation
OECD Innovation Policy Reviews offer a comprehensive assessment of the innovation systems of individual OECD member and partner countries, focusing on the role of government. They provide concrete recommendations on how to improve policies which affect innovation performance, including research and development policies.
Integrity
OECD Initiatives:
- OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN), a strong programme making a measurable impact on anti-corruption policies and practices in countries of the region.
- Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan is a sub-regional peer review programme of the ACN that supports anti-corruption reforms through country reviews and continuous monitoring of implementation of recommendations. Participating countries include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
- Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Network provides a framework for investigators and prosecutors to learn about modern investigative techniques, improve their capacity to deal with corruption cases and strengthen enforcement of anti-corruption legislation.
- ADB/OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific provides a forum through which peers from the region meet regularly to discuss shared integrity challenges and ways to address them. The Initiative also runs a Law-Enforcement Network, similar to that of the ACN.
OECD Publications:
- Fighting Corruption in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (4th round of monitoring of the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan):
Armenia (2018)
Azerbaijan (2016)
Georgia (2016)
Kazakhstan (2017)
Kyrgyzstan (2018)
Mongolia (2019)
Tajikistan (2018)
Ukraine (2018)
Uzbekistan (2019)
- OECD Integrity Scan of Kazakhstan: Preventing Corruption for a Competitive Economy (2017)
- Business Integrity in Eastern Europe and Central Asia 2016
Investment and Economic Development
OECD Initiatives:
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises aim to maximise the contribution that investment by multinational enterprises can make to sustainable development and enduring social progress.
- OECD Responsible Business Conduct works to improve the business climate and enhance the investment policy framework in Eurasia.
- OECD Development Centre through its Multi-dimensional Country Reviews helps countries in Eurasia formulate development strategies and support the policy reforms needed to achieve further sustainable and inclusive development.
- OECD Policy Dialogue on Natural Resource-based Development offers an intergovernmental platform for peer learning and knowledge sharing, where OECD and non-OECD countries, in consultation with extractive industries and civil societies, craft innovative and collaborative solutions for resource-based development.
OECD Publications:
Kazakhstan (2017)
Ukraine (2016)
Public Governance
OECD Initiatives:
- SIGMA Programme, a joint initiative of the OECD and the European Union, works with Eurasia countries to strengthen the foundations for improved public governance and build the capacities of the public sector.
- OECD Recommendation on Public Procurement helps countries in Eurasia to improve public trust, enhance well-being, and build more prosperous and inclusive societies.
- OECD Regional Development Policy Committee works with countries to develop policy advice on regional development that is place-based, multi-level, multi-sectoral, evidence-based and innovative.
- OECD Recommendation on Digital Government Strategies, 12 recommendations to support the integration of decisions on digital technologies in public sector reform strategies.
OECD Publications:
- The Principles of Public Administrations
Armenia (2019)
Ukraine (2018)
Georgia (2018)
Moldova (2015)
- Territorial Reviews
Kazakhstan (2017)
Ukraine (2013)
- Transparent and Inclusive Stakeholder Participation through Public Councils in Kazakhstan (2020)
- Review of the Kazakhstan Commission on Access to Information (2020)
- Public Procurement in Kazakhstan: Reforming for Efficiency (2019)
- Risk Governance Scan of Kazakhstan (2019)
- Maintaining the Momentum of Decentralisation in Ukraine (2018)
- Decentralisation and Multi-level Governance in Kazakhstan (2018)
- Towards a More Effective, Strategic and Accountable State in Kazakhstan (2018)
- Benchmarking Civil Service Reform in Kazakhstan (2018)
- Towards an Open Government in Kazakhstan (2017)
- OECD Urban Policy Reviews: Kazakhstan (2017)
Social Development
OECD Initiatives:
- EU Social Protection System Programme, supports low- and middle-income countries build sustainable and inclusive social protection systems.
- EU-OECD Development Centre Protection Youth Inclusion Project, compiles and collects data on youth, and helps facilitate national dialogue on youth inclusion that will contribute to the design of evidence-based policies and approaches.
- EU-OECD Development Centre Interrelations between Public Policies, Migration and Development (IPPMD) project provides policy makers with evidence of the untapped development potential embodied in migration and the role of a range of sectoral policies in realising this potential.
- Assessing the Economic Contribution of Labour Migration in Developing Countries as Countries of Destination (ECLM) project aimed to help policymakers design better labour and migration policies, improve labour management and secure the appropriate protection of migrant rights
- OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC), an international forum where bilateral providers of development co-operation and multilateral agencies work together to improve the quantity and quality of development assistance (Azerbaijan & Kazakhstan).
- Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (Global Partnership), an inclusive multi-stakeholder platform to maximise the effectiveness of all forms of development co-operation, to deliver long-lasting results and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
OECD Publications:
- Social Protection System Review of Kyrgyzstan (2018)
- Youth Well-being Policy Review of Moldova (2018)
- OECD Reviews of Health Systems: National Health Accounts of Kazakhstan (2018)
- OECD Review of Labour Policies in Kazakhstan (2017)
- Building Inclusive Labour Markets in Kazakhstan: A Focus on Youth, Older Workers and People with Disabilities (2017)
- How Immigrants Contribute to Kyrgyzstan's Economy (2017)
- Interrelations between Public Policies, Migration and Development in Armenia (2017)
- Interrelations between Public Policies, Migration and Development in Georgia (2017)
- Development Co-operation Report 2017 : Data for Development (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan)
Trade
OECD Initiatives:
- The OECD Steel Committee provides a unique forum for governments to come together to address the evolving challenges facing the steel industry and identify political solutions to encourage open and transparent markets for steel.
OECD Publications:
OECD Data:
- Eleven Eurasia countries are covered by the OECD’s Trade Facilitation Indicators (TFIs), which help governments improve border procedures, reduce trade costs, boost trade flows, and ultimately reap greater benefits from international trade
- Many Eurasia countries also provide data for the OECD Inventory of Export Restrictions on Raw Materials, which reports export taxes, prohibitions, licensing requirements and other measures by which governments regulate the export of industrial raw materials including minerals, metals and wood.
Data