The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Nov. 20 said Korea was elected vice chair of the Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for next year. Shown is the second session of last year's meeting on May 2, 2024, in Paris. (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources)

By Kim Seon Ah

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Nov. 20 said the country was elected vice chair of the Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for 2026.

The decision was made at a session of the OECD Council at Permanent Representatives Level in Paris held from Nov. 18-19.

The MCM is the OECD's top decision-making body with the participation of ministerial-level officials from 38 member states. They select agenda every year that reflect the flow of global economic and social trends and set the direction for the coming year.

Unanimously elected vice chair by MCM member countries and receiving a strong recommendation from chair Finland, Korea will work with Finland and fellow vice chair New Zealand to lead agenda selection and preparation for the MCM next year.

The ministry said, "As vice chair of the MCM, we will lead discussion of global economic issues to raise our country's status as a globally responsible power and bolster our practical diplomacy focused on national interests in multilateral economic forums by reflecting our interests in agenda."

sofiakim218@korea.kr