PH, Canada co-chair OECD Southeast Asia program

The Philippines has officially assumed the co-chairship of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Southeast Asia Regional Programme, sharing leadership with Canada.

The handover ceremony occurred on June 3 during the OECD 2025 Ministerial Council Meeting, held from June 3 to 4, at the OECD headquarters in Paris, France.

Department of Economic Planning and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan highlighted the importance of the partnership with Canada, emphasizing a shared vision for sustainable and inclusive development in the region.

This co-chairship presents an opportunity to exchange experiences with regional partners and collaborate on priorities like private sector engagement, digital economy advancement, innovation promotion, economic inclusivity, and responsible corporate governance.

The Philippines and Canada will work together to strengthen the connection between Southeast Asian nations and the OECD, addressing critical global issues such as sustainable infrastructure.