OECD Digital for SMEs Roundtable: Boosting SME Competitiveness Through Digital and AI Adoption

Max Jablonowski — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:50:52 GMT

On 13 April, we participated in the 7th Roundtable of the OECD Digital for SMEs (D4SME) Global Initiative, which focused on "Boosting SME Competitiveness Through Digital and AI Adoption". Our Executive Board Member Patrik Kovacs delivered remarks, underlining the need to accelerate SMEs’ readiness for digitalisation and AI. He highlighted that, to remain competitive in an increasingly digital economy, SMEs must be supported with both the right skills and access to adequate financing. To complement this, we reiterated the business community’s call to equip SMEs with practical digital skills and expand their access to digital finance. We also encourage strengthening local ecosystems that support their effective adoption of new technologies.

Stronger Together: Health as an Economic Engine for Long-Term Growth

Max Jablonowski — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:54:11 GMT

On 9 April, Business at OECD hosted a side event during the OECD Joint Network of Senior Budget and Health Officials Meetings to highlight the crucial role of health in long‑term economic growth. Under our Stronger Together campaign, the session “Health as an Economic Engine for Long-Term Growth” brought together OECD policymakers and business leaders to reframe health not as a cost, but as a strategic investment that strengthens productivity, workforce participation, competitiveness, but also fiscal sustainability. The event also marked the launch of our 2025 Stronger Together campaign report, which calls on governments and the OECD to recognise health as an economic imperative and to embed it at the centre of both economic and budgetary planning.

G7 Health Working Group: Strengthening Health Innovation and Resilience

Max Jablonowski — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:23:20 GMT

On 8 April in Lyon, Business at OECD took part in the G7 Health Working Group discussions, sharing private‑sector perspectives on how to strengthen health innovation and resilience. Olga Mironenko Stampfer and David Elvira, respectively Chair and Vice‑Chair of our Health Committee, emphasised four main points: enabling conditions for public health innovation, investing in workforce capacity and prevention, integrating environmental sustainability, and adopting fiscal frameworks that recognise health as a long‑term economic investment. We stand ready to support G7 partners in translating these priorities into concrete action to reinforce resilience and economic security.

OECD Investment Week: Business Calls for Fit-for-Purpose Investment Frameworks

Max Jablonowski — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Business at OECD actively participated in the OECD Investment Committee meetings and related events held in Paris at the end of March 2026, bringing forward the private-sector perspective on key investment policy issues in a rapidly evolving global context.

OECD International Conference on AI in Work, Innovation, Productivity and Skills: Business Insights on Responsible AI Adoption

Max Jablonowski — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:47:19 GMT

From 30 March to 1 April, Business at OECD participated in the OECD International Conference on AI in Work, Innovation, Productivity and Skills (AI-WIPS). This conference convened leading voices from government, business, academia, and civil society to examine how AI is reshaping the world of work. Discussions ranged from the rise of agentic AI to the governance of algorithmic management with the goal of exploring how policymaking can keep pace with rapid technological transformation. Members from Business at OECD's global business network, including Salesforce's Olfa Kharrat, Sanofi's Marie-Gabrielle Lartail, and Upwork's Patrick Hedren contributed their perspectives to the conference sessions. They highlighted the central role of private enterprises in responsible adoption of AI and algorithmic management, workforce development, digital readiness, and innovation-led growth. These positions reflect ongoing Business at OECD work on lifelong learning in a world of digital transformation, advancing artificial intelligence, and future-ready workforces. Their participation in the AI-WIPS conference underscores the critical importance of continued business engagement in designing AI policies that facilitate growth, empower workers and boost productivity across sectors and countries.

OECD Interim Economic Outlook: Testing Resilience

Max Jablonowski — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:14:38 GMT

The OECD’s latest Interim Economic Outlook highlights that the global economy remains resilient, but has been seriously exposed to geopolitical shocks and renewed inflationary pressures driven by energy market volatility. While exposure to Middle East-related disruptions varies across OECD countries, persistently high energy prices had already been eroding industrial competitiveness and raising serious risks of de-industrialisation in energy-intensive sectors even before the current escalation.

OECD/IEA Climate Forum: Business Calls for Clearer Policy and Partnership

Max Jablonowski — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:00:00 GMT

On 17–18 March 2026, Business at OECD joined the Global Forum on Environment and Climate Change, organised by the OECD and the International Energy Agency. Discussions focused on preparations for the second Global Stocktake and the COP30 decision on the Global Goal on Adaptation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change framework. Led by USCIB’s Agnes Vinblad, our delegation highlighted the role of the private sector and called for clearer policy signals to support implementation. Business at OECD also emphasised stronger use of UNFCCC constituency groups and practical tools, such as sectoral surveys, to better integrate real economy input into global climate discussions.

OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum: Business Leads the Way on Integrity Culture and Communication

Max Jablonowski — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:38:06 GMT

Business at OECD welcomed a strong private sector delegation to the 2026 OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum and convened a Knowledge Partner event, “Business at the Forefront: How Companies are Advancing Integrity and Fighting Corruption in 2026.” The event featured opening remarks from Business at OECD and OECD Working Group on Bribery leadership, followed by panel discussions with compliance leaders from Business at OECD's global business network. Discussions with compliance leaders highlighted a shift beyond formal compliance toward embedding integrity in business operations through culture, communication, and closer alignment with day-to-day activities. Key themes included leadership’s role in setting the “tone from the top,” measuring behavioral impact, and strengthening public-private collaboration on practical compliance standards.

OECD Illicit Trade Week: Business Pushes Stronger Public-Private Action

Max Jablonowski — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:58:39 GMT

Business at OECD brought a strong private sector delegation to the OECD Forum on Countering Illicit Trade and its related Working Party. In this context, we advanced proposals to complement OECD work on online marketplaces and Free Trade Zones, including stronger information-sharing across supply chains and governments, as well as exploring controls on critical raw materials and precursors. We also support the OECD’s new workstream on non-counterfeit illicit trade, broadening the focus beyond counterfeit goods and helping to drive more coordinated, cross-sector policy approaches while addressing gaps in enforcement frameworks.

Getting Industrial Policies Right: Business Consults with OECD Ministerial Leadership

Max Jablonowski — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT

A strong delegation of business leaders from our global business network led by our Chair Rick Johnston met in Helsinki for the annual consultation with the OECD's leadership ahead of the 2026 Ministerial Council Meeting chaired by Finland. Discussions involved Ministers from the Government of Finland, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and the Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto, and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, to discuss our priorities on this year’s theme "Getting Industrial Policies Right for Open Markets, Growth, and Prosperity".

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