Strengthening Regional Policy for Resilient Places - OECD Ministerial Meeting

Strengthening Regional Policy for Resilient Places

OECD Ministerial Meeting

19-20 May 2025 I Warsaw, Poland

Strengthening Regional Policy for Resilient Places - OECD Ministerial Meeting


Navigating Global Challenges:
Strengthening Regional Resilience

The global economy has experienced unprecedented shocks in recent years, stressing value chains and impacting the economic potential and long-term resilience of regions, cities and rural areas. Global challenges such as demographic change, green and digital transitions, will raise key questions about how regions can capitalise on current opportunities while mitigating potential risks. In this context, regional development policy is instrumental in boosting competitiveness inclusive growth and resilence. 

On 19-20 May 2025, Ministers and high-level representatives from OECD countries and beyond will convene in Warsaw, Poland, for the Ministerial Meeting on Regional Development Policy. Chaired by Poland, with Japan and Norway as Vice-Chairs, the meeting will explore strategies to enhance resilience, cohesion, and well-being while leveraging regional opportunities.
DRAFT PROGRAMME

Key issues

Competitiveness

Staying competitive is essential for thriving economies and stronger communities. Productivity is the engine behind this, but its growth has slowed dramatically across OECD countries in recent years. Many regions are facing shrinking incomes and jobs. Globalisation’s uneven impact across places, rising risks from geopolitical tensions and natural disasters, and a growing focus on sustainability have pushed businesses to rethink their supply chains and governments to embrace new industrial strategies. Regional development policies are a powerful tool to tackle these challenges and steer long-term growth in the right direction.

Digital transition

The rapid rise of information and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, has the power to boost productivity and efficiency, building stronger, more resilient economies. However, the impact of these technologies will differ across regions, shaped by factors like access to digital infrastructure and the availability of digital talent and skills. While these advancements unlock exciting opportunities for growth, governments at all levels must adopt forward-thinking policies to harness their potential and address the risks they bring.

Climate action

Boosting resilience to climate change and long-term competitiveness are becoming two sides of the same coin. Rising temperatures and extreme weather are exposing regions to the high costs of inaction, threatening economic stability. While some climate actions require balancing short- and long-term productivity, investments in energy efficiency and climate-friendly infrastructure can drive growth in both. Because climate impacts and opportunities vary by region, city and rural area, local strategies—guided by subnational governments through planning, investment, and support for businesses—will be key to aligning climate action with increased competitiveness and resilience.

Demographic change

OECD countries are grappling with demographic shifts that threaten long-term competitiveness, service quality, and public finance sustainability. Some regions are losing population, while others are aging rapidly, with varying impacts across places. Regional development policies and better coordination across levels of government can turn these challenges into opportunities. By combining adaptation and mitigation strategies—such as strategic planning, infrastructure investment, and addressing housing issues—regions can maintain their vitality and appeal.

Multi-level governance

Collaborating effectively across levels of government is key to ensure policies and investments are delivered at the right scale, addressing local needs while maintaining national coherence. It helps coordinate policies across sectors, breaking down silos and enabling more efficient, integrated solutions. This approach also fosters bottom-up initiatives, empowering local communities and businesses to drive innovation. By aligning their efforts, governments at different levels can enhance policy effectiveness, increase accountability, and better respond to regional challenges, ultimately strengthening resilience and fostering sustainable growth.

Effective investments

In today’s tight fiscal climate, financing global transitions and addressing rising security concerns are major challenges for governments. Post-pandemic debt, budget deficits, and high interest rates are straining public finances, limiting their ability to foster sustainable growth. Mobilising private capital is also essential, but success requires more than just funding. Effective investment needs a place-based approach, along with overcoming institutional, financial, and capacity barriers at all government levels to meet the unique needs of each region.