The OECD sets standards on various aspects of investment policy. They represent a broad consensus on the most effective policy frameworks, tailored to implement them in diverse country and regional contexts. They also help to foster international cooperation around peer learning across countries.

• The Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, and related policy toolkits provide the framework and standards for attracting more, better, and safe investment. More than 50 OECD and non-OECD governments have adhered to the OECD Investment Declaration.
• The Codes of Liberalisation of Capital Movements facilitate open markets while ensuring macroeconomic stability. 
• The Policy Framework for Investment and the FDI Qualities Recommendation and Policy Toolkit assist governments in improving their climates for domestic and foreign investment that supports inclusive and sustainable development. 
• The 2009 Guidelines on Investment Policies concerning National Security provides governments with principles to ensure investment policies safeguard national security interests. The Guidelines strike a balance between openness to foreign investments and managing associated security risks.

The right kind of investment supports the expansion of an economy’s productive capacity while promoting decarbonisation, adaptation and preserving our planet’s natural resources. It is key to achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. The OECD supports governments, both within the OECD and across diverse regions, to create the right conditions for investment to flow into the most sustainable and productive uses. Through the promotion of better investment through policy frameworks, and with Investment Promotion Agencies, the OECD advocated for a whole of government approach. 

The OECD also looks at international agreements, such as international Investment Treaties, which can currently promote investment into fossil fuels. The OECD workstream on these agreements looks both at how to align them with climate goals, and how to modernise them to ensure they can help address the challenges of today and the future.

The OECD also offers a range of evidence,  indicators and tools to measure and better understand the sustainability impacts of investments and related policies. 

Monitoring Capital flows and FDI trends, based on our foreign direct investment (FDI) statistics and related analysis are based on the OECD Benchmark Definition of FDI, provide a solid base for making decisions. 

The ongoing review of the Benchmark Definition of Foreign Direct Investment 4th Edition (BD4) ensures that governments have access to a comparable and robust factual basis for decision-making, reflecting the complexities of globalisation more accurately.

Our indicators  allow governments to assess their performance against peers and frontrunners, by sector, sustainability area or policy dimension. 

Our data tools also enable governments to benchmark themselves against policies and practices of other countries such as in areas of market access, investment incentives, or the promotion and facilitation of sustainable investment.