Mandate: Resolution of the Council [C(2008)177] adopted at its 1184th session on 13 November 2008 [C/M(2008)20, item 287]
Resolution of the Council [C(2008)177 and C/M(2008)20, item 287]
“THE COUNCIL,
Having regard to Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development of 14 December 1960;
Having regard to the Ministerial Resolution of 23 July 1960 [OECD(60)9(Final)] and to paragraph 16 of the Report of the Preparatory Committee concerning the creation of a Trade Committee;
Having regard to the Rules of Procedure of the Organisation;
Having regard to the mandate of the Trade Committee as set out in Council Resolution C(2006)6;
Having regard to the Trade Committee Draft Medium-Term Strategy [TAD/TC(2007)2];
Having regard to the recommendations of the In-depth Evaluation of the Trade Committee [C(2008)77 and C(2008)77/CORR1];
Having regard to the proposal to revise the mandate of the Trade Committee [C(2008)177];
Considering that international trade is essential for growth and sustainable economic development;
Considering that the mission of the Trade Committee is to provide a forum for international co operation, dialogue and policy analysis in order to help countries benefit fully from trading opportunities and adjust to changing trade patterns, as encompassed in Article 1 of the OECD Convention;
DECIDES:
1. The Trade Committee shall have the following mandate:
a) Encourage frank and open dialogue among OECD Members and undertake and disseminate rigorous, objective trade policy analysis, in order to:
- increase understanding of evolving trade policy issues, including on controversial subjects;
- build support for liberalised trade within a strengthened multilateral, rules-based trading system;
- contribute objective information and analysis to advance the on-going and future agenda of the World Trade Organisation (WTO);
- support, as appropriate, multilateral trade negotiations;
- facilitate the promotion of coherence between trade policy and other related domestic and international policies.
b) Support the work on establishing common guiding principles and exchange of information in respect of Members’ official export credit systems.
c) Collaborate closely with other relevant bodies of the OECD on cross-cutting issues related to trade.
d) Engage invited non-Members in the analytical work and policy dialogue of the Committee as appropriate.
e) As appropriate, consult and share information with the advisory bodies to the OECD, BIAC and TUAC, as well as civil society organisations and academia.
f) Co-operate with other international organisations, such as the World Bank, the IMF and others as appropriate, on issues of mutual interest.
2. The mandate of the Trade Committee shall remain in force until 31 December 2013, unless the Council decides otherwise.”