Welcome remarks followed by a short introduction to set the stage for the discussions ahead. This session is open to the public and press and is livestreamed.

Boosting competitiveness - particularly through long-term and sustainable productivity growth - is a key focus of many new industrial policies being adopted across countries. Many of these strategies are explicitly placed-based, reflecting both the different strengths of regions within countries and a growing awareness that large and persistent spatial disparities can weigh down on resilience, and, in turn, on competitiveness. This session invites Ministers to discuss what works - and what doesn’t - when it comes to fostering balanced and sustainable development across different types of regions and geographies. It also looks at how to take these lessons forward to boost regions’ contribution to overall competitiveness and well-being while rebuilding social cohesion.

This breakout session explores how regional policy can help anticipate and respond to the local impacts of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). It focuses on supporting digital adoption by firms and governments, addressing labour market disruptions, and improving access to digital infrastructure. The discussion also highlights the uneven regional readiness for digital transitions and the need for place-based approaches to ensure inclusive benefits.

This breakout session looks at how regional policy can support climate action and the transition to net-zero. It focuses on addressing place-specific climate risks and opportunities, aligning public finances with green objectives, and mobilising investment at the local level. The discussion also highlights the need for coordination across levels of government and policy areas such as land use, infrastructure, and economic development.

This breakout session examines how regional policy can help manage the uneven impacts of demographic change across places. It focuses on ensuring access to services and infrastructure in both growing and shrinking regions, and addressing challenges related to fiscal sustainability, ageing populations, and spatial planning. The discussion explores opportunities linked to demographic shifts, such as the silver economy, environmental benefits, and the role of older populations in strengthening local communities.

Responding to shocks and global transitions requires managing policy trade-offs and reinforces the need for strong institutions and effective public investment – especially given limited financial, technical and human resources, including at the subnational level. Across the OECD, regional and local governments are taking on more responsibilities and funding to deliver territorial development plans and essential public services such as education, healthcare, and transport. At the same time, providing public services and infrastructure to support regional development depends on well-coordinated public investment across levels of government and stronger public-private cooperation. Most OECD countries now face higher deficits and debt than before the pandemic, alongside rising debt servicing costs due to higher interest rates. This session invites Ministers to discuss solutions to overcome common implementation barriers, including governance arrangements, territorial and institutional reforms, public and private finance, fiscal mechanisms, and capacity building.

Reporting back on the breakout sessions, final remarks on the highlights from the event, and the adoption of the substantive outcome document.