‘Optimising the strength and quality of recovery from COVID-19 while responding to the economic and social impacts of the war in Ukraine’ was the theme of the meeting of the OECD Global Parliamentary Network held in Paris on 4 and 5 April 2023. The Standing Parliamentary Delegation for Participation in OECD Activities (PD-OECD) was represented at the meeting by its president, Council of States member Ruedi Noser (FDP/ZH), its vice president, National Council member Prisca Birrer-Heimo (SP/LU), and Council of States member Erich Ettlin (The Centre/OW).

The meeting provided an opportunity for parliamentarians to exchange views on a wide range of issues, from the global economic outlook and developments in the energy market, to difficulties on the labour market and gender equality. In addition, OECD experts reported on the ongoing work of the Inclusive Forum on Carbon Mitigation Approaches, which was launched in February 2023. The forum aims to optimise global efforts in emissions reduction through data sharing, evidence-based mutual learning and multi-stakeholder dialogue. The president of the delegation welcomed this initiative and took the opportunity to inform his counterparts of the concrete measures provided for by the Climate and Innovation Act, submitted to the Swiss electorate on 18 June 2023.

On the sidelines of the Parliamentary Network meeting, the delegation held bilateral talks on current OECD projects concerning international taxation. During its discussion with the newly appointed Deputy Secretary-General Fabrizia Lapecorella, the delegation welcomed the efforts of the OECD to establish a stable and fair framework for global competition, while pointing out the challenges involved in implementing these new taxation rules from Switzerland’s point of view. Achim Pross, Deputy Director of the OECD’s Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, briefed the delegation on the current situation regarding measures to implement a minimum tax rate in the various regions of the world.

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Nationalrätin Prisca Birrer-Heimo nimmt für die parlamentarische Delegation der Schweiz am OECD-Treffen in Paris teil © OECD.jpg
Council of States member Ruedi Noser headed the Swiss delegation at the OECD meeting in Paris. © OECD

Parlamentarierinnen und Parlamentarier aus 25 Ländern nehmen am Treffen der OECD-Themengruppe «Künstliche Intelligenz» teil.jpg The Parliamentary Network meeting was attended by 126 parliamentarians from 36 countries. © OECD​

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