Opening Dialogue on Ukraine’s Future OECD Membership Is an Important Practical and Political Step We Are Hoping For – Ihor Zhovkva at Meeting with OECD Secretary-General

Deputy Head of Ukraine's Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva met with OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann in Paris to discuss Ukraine's potential membership in the Organization. The primary focus was on the renewal of Ukraine's application to join the OECD and the importance of opening a dialogue on the country's future membership.

Zhovkva emphasized Ukraine's commitment to completing necessary reforms for this goal, stressing that these reforms are essential for Ukraine and its people, not just for OECD membership. Despite the ongoing war, Zhovkva noted that Ukraine is making progress in implementing reforms required for OECD membership. Cormann acknowledged Ukraine's progress under the OECD Ukraine Country Programme, a prerequisite for membership.

The two discussed how OECD standards can support Ukraine's European path, with Zhovkva thanking Cormann for consistent support and highlighting Ukraine's experience in maintaining state institutions and businesses during wartime. The meeting also addressed the security situation and Ukraine's resilience, with Zhovkva expressing willingness to share institutional resilience lessons with OECD members, particularly in energy and cybersecurity.

Both sides discussed the OECD's role in Ukraine's reconstruction, and Zhovkva invited OECD members to actively participate. This was part of a series of meetings by Zhovkva with heads of missions to the OECD, including from the UK, Germany, Italy, the US, France, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Australia, Hungary, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Chile.

In 2022, the OECD Council recognized Ukraine as a potential member, and Ukraine renewed its request for accession negotiations on June 23. The OECD Council is set to consider Ukraine's issue for the first time at a meeting on September 16.