SIGMA ministerial conference: opening session

Welcome remarks

Marcos Bonturi, Director, Public Governance Directorate, OECD

Keynote speech

Mari Kiviniemi, Deputy Secretary-General, OECD

Keynote speech

Jean-Eric Paquet, Deputy Secretary-General, EC

Main messages

SIGMA has summarised below the main messages of this session, based on the speeches that were given.

• This is the first time that SIGMA has gathered key ministers together from its 18 partners. The Principles of Public Administration have become a fundamental part of reform progress for many of them and SIGMA has also learnt a lot from working closely with our partners - expertise flows both ways.

• The OECD has a number of programmes that work in the same regions as SIGMA, including the South East Europe, MENA and EURASIA programmes. In the EU, there is also great focus on governance and rule of law reforms.

• Much progress has been made and the challenges now faced should be seen as opportunities that we can meet together.