With an open letter OECD Watch appealed to the Ministerial Council of the OECD to authorise the long-overdue review of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Council welcomes further consultation on an update of the Guidelines.
On 24-25 June 2009, the OECD’s 30 member countries held their annual Ministerial Council Meeting with the aim of building “a stronger, cleaner and fairer world economy” to address and move beyond the current financial and economic crisis. Reckless and unethical business conduct has contributed to the severity of the crisis. OECD Watch therefore appealed to the Council to authorise the long-overdue review of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises so that they can become an effective and credible tool for promoting responsible corporate behaviour worldwide. A positive response was received on the issue as the statement of the OECD Ministerial Council reads that it “welcomes further consultation on the up-dating of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises to increase their relevance and clarify private sector responsibilities”.