On 2 and 3 May 2024, in Paris, France, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs, took part in the meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Ministers discussed the importance of international cooperation to promote an inclusive and sustainable economy at a time of global challenges. Particular attention was paid to the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence in society’s transition to a digital and green economy.
In a session on the rapidly increasing global impact of artificial intelligence (AI), Andris Pelšs underlined the key role of the OECD in developing international standards:
“The rapid development of AI technology poses both opportunities and challenges, especially in the area of disinformation, which poses threat to our democratic processes and undermines our public diplomacy efforts across the globe.”
In an exchange on global relations, Andris Pelšs emphasised that the new geopolitical reality was characterised by instability affecting the global economy and trade. Under those circumstances, efforts should be made to strengthen the resilience of a rules-based international system. It is of particular importance to continue supporting Ukraine, which the OECD Ministerial meeting committed to do as early as in 2023, with the launch of the Ukraine Country Programme.
The meeting of the OECD Ministerial Council was chaired by Japan, the country holding the post in 2024.
