President Barack Obama visited the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on December 1 during his visit to Paris for the United Nations climate talks (COP21). Obama acknowledged the OECD’s position as a key actor in the global economy, and showed appreciation for the organization’s international comparative analysis, including work on taxes, gender and anti-corruption.
During a press conference at OECD headquarters, just seven miles from where climate negotiations took place at Le Bourget, Obama delivered a powerful message on the need to reach an ambitious agreement at COP21, and he expressed the United States’s support on that score. Obama then signed the livre d’or of the OECD with the following statement:
“To the leaders and staff of the OECD – as the world gathers to meet the challenges of climate change, the spirit of the OECD can guide us.
May our nations come together in cooperation and peace to protect our planet and improve the lives of our people.”
– Barack Obama
In addition to Obama, several other heads of state came through the OECD during COP21, in which many directorates held well-attended side events at the OECD’s dedicated space.
