High-Level Risk Forum

OVERVIEW

The OECD High-Level Risk Forum (HLRF) is an official working party of the OECD Public Governance Committee. HLRF provides Member countries a platform for exchange of applied knowledge and the development of shared understanding on cutting edge themes related to risk governance, disaster risk and crisis management. It convenes officials from offices of Prime Minister and relevant lead ministries and agencies, and invites experts to participate in thematic workshops on the identification, assessment and management of critical risks. “Critical Risks”, are “Threats and hazards that pose the most strategically significant risk, as a result of (i) their probability or likelihood and of (ii) the national significance of their disruptive consequences.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of the High-Level Risk Forum (HLRF) are to:

(i)Provide a platform for cooperation and discussion, inclusive of the private sector, academia and civil society, for defining the governance arrangements and policies needed to identify, manage and mitigate the risks and crises whose impacts may overcome sub-national capacities, traverse borders, and/or impact upon the vital interests of several countries;

(ii)Design and promote good practices in risk governance and risk management policies consistent with the relevant OECD standards as a means to enhance resilience and maintain a sustainable pathway of economic development and international cooperation;

(iii)Act as a catalyst for the exchange of applied knowledge and the development of shared understanding and knowledge in risk governance and risk management by convening senior experts, policy makers and senior executives;

(iv)Undertake other tasks as requested by the PGC.

WORKING METHODS

In order to achieve these objectives the HLRF shall:

(i)Carry out research on the full range of risk governance and risk management topics, including through its subsidiary body, the Task Force on Countering Illicit Trade, by assessing strategies, policy tools and/or programmes for effective and efficient:

‒ identification and assessment of critical risks, including emerging risks;

‒ design and implementation of risk prevention and risk mitigation policies;

‒ strategic risk, crisis, and business continuity management;

‒ facilitation of social and economic recovery;

(ii)Conduct “peer review” examinations of risk governance and risk management policies in countries, and produce analytical reports based on their results;

(iii)Map policies and practices and develop metrics on the governance and management of critical risks to enable cross country comparisons

COMPOSITION

The HRLF is composed of senior governmental experts in domestic and international security and public safety policy, or strategic risk, crisis and business continuity management with appropriate knowledge related to comprehensive risk management. It is open to experts from OECD Members and selected non-OECD Members, as well as relevant international organisations, in conformity with the rules of the Organisation, notably the Revised Resolution of the Council on Partnerships in OECD Bodies.

HLRF MANDATE

PAST HLRF MEETINGS

12th High-Level Risk Forum, 12-13 December 2022

11th High-Level Risk Forum, 14-15 December 2021

10th High-Level Risk Forum, 1-3 December 2020

9th High-Level Risk Forum, 3-4 December 2019

8th High-Level Risk Forum, December 2018

7th High-Level Risk Forum, 5-7 December 2017

6th High-Level Risk Forum, December 2016

5th High-Level Risk Forum, 8-10 December 2015

4th High-Level Risk Forum, 17-18 September 2014

3rd High-Level Risk Forum, 12-13 December 2013