During the application, Rwanda demonstrated interest to become a member to boost investments in the country.

Today, OECD comprises of 54 developed and under-development countries.

The admission has been announced by OECD Development Center via twitter account which also quoted Rwanda’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Soraya Hakuziyaremye who is representing Rwanda at the ongoing OECD Forum in Paris, France.

“We welcome Rwanda as a new member state of the OECD Development Centre!” tweeted OECD.

The OECD Forum brings together high-level government representatives, from OECD member countries and key partners, with stakeholders from civil society, business, trade unions, philanthropy, academia, and media to discuss world issues and challenges.

The 2019 Forum is held during OECD Week, from the 20th May to 23rd May.

It is chaired by the Slovak Republic and co-chaired by Canada and South Korea, discussing issues surrounding the rising inequalities in the economic and social opportunity that are affecting people of all ages and genders, dampening the diversity and richness of societies and hindering prosperity, well-being and inclusion.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Richard Sezibera says that having Rwanda as member of the Center is very significant because the country has put much effort in promoting trade and investment highlighting ‘it is essential to learn from others who made the milestone before.’

Existing African countries member states include Egypt, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Morocco, and Tunisia. Other member states include Belgium, Brasilia, Japan, and France among others.

The OECD Development Centre was established in 1961 as an independent platform for knowledge sharing and policy dialogue between Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries and developing economies, allowing these countries to interact on an equal footing.

Today, 27 OECD member countries and 27 non-OECD member countries are members of the Centre. The Centre draws attention to emerging systemic issues likely to affect global development and more specific development challenges faced by today’s developing and emerging economies. It uses evidence-based analysis, and strategic partnerships, to help countries formulate innovative policy solutions to the global challenges of development.