The Agency's participation in international fora: The OECD

This is the second in a series of articles detailing the Agency's participation in other international forums in which data protection also plays an important role. In this case, we are talking about the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In this post we briefly explain how it works and detail the main activities in which the Agency is involved. 

ocde

The OECD

The OECD is an international organisation based in Paris whose mission is to design policies that promote prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all people. Founded in 1961, it is the successor to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC), which was created to distribute the credits provided by the United States to rebuild Europe after World War II through the so-called ‘Marshall Plan’. 

The organisation works with governments, policy makers and citizens to set international standards and propose evidence-based solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. Its work ranges from improving economic performance and job creation to promoting effective education and combating international tax evasion.

Through thematic committees, expert groups and working groups, government representatives and experts share ideas, data and solutions to solve problems such as social inequalities, youth unemployment, the gender gap, the integration of immigrants or poverty in old age. This process aims to share experiences and serve as a source of inspiration and learning for those facing similar challenges in other parts of the world.

The WPGDP

Within the expert groups established by the OECD, the AEPD actively participates in the Working Party on Data Governance and Privacy (WPGDP). It is the main group dedicated to the protection of personal data. It assists the Digital Policy Committee (DPC) in developing and promoting evidence-based policies related to data governance and privacy in the digital economy.

It aims to protect privacy in the face of rapid technological developments and the privacy risks associated with these developments by analysing trends, data-driven business models, and data flows, and by promoting cross-sectoral and cross-border regulatory cooperation.

The group meets twice a year in Paris, in spring and autumn. As an example, the following actions can be highlighted from its last meeting:

  • Adoption of the accompanying document [DSTI/CDEP/DGP(2021)13/REV4] to the OECD Recommendations to promote data access and sharing [OECD/LEGAL/0463], which are transmitted to the Digital Policy Committee (DPC) for publication.
  • Presentation of the results of the roundtable on secondary use of health data for research [OECD/LEGAL/0463]. This information has been transmitted to the Ibero-American Data Protection Network [RIPD].
  • Analysis of the project [DSTI/DPC(2024)9] on age assurance for children's health.

Working Party on Artificial Intelligence Governance (AIGO)

The OECD’s Digital Policy Committee (DPC) has a Working Party on Artificial Intelligence Governance (AIGO) to oversee its work on Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy. 

The working party oversees and gives direction to the DPC work programme on AI policy and governance. This includes:

  • Analysis of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national AI policies and action plans;
  • AI impact assessment; approaches for trustworthy and accountable AI;
  • Supervising measurement and data efforts as part of the OECD.AI Observatory’s pillar on trends & data;
  • Conducting foresight work on AI and on related emerging technologies.