Poland in the OECD

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy were the focus of today’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg. EU foreign ministers also met with their counterparts from Iceland and Norway to discuss further joint measures to respond to Russian aggression. Poland was represented by Undersecretary of State Marcin Przydacz acting on behalf of Minister Zbigniew Rau.

Until this morning, Poland’s border with Ukraine was crossed by a total of 500,000 people. In the current situation of emergency, it is only natural that Poland is being chosen by those seeking refuge: not only Ukrainians but also the citizens of virtually every country, including students from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Today, Poland has started its one-year Chairmanship at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Thus, our country is assuming a greater role in shaping security and stabilisation on the European continent in the spirit of the Helsinki Final Act, whose 50th anniversary we will be celebrating in 2025.

Today marks the 172nd anniversary of Fryderyk Chopin’s death. In a special video, Secretary of State Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk plays the Waltz in D-flat major, Op. 64 no. 1 on the piano and talks about the links between the great Polish composer’s music and diplomacy, encouraging the viewers to watch and follow closely the final stage of the competition.

The undersecretary of state recalled that Poland is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of its membership in the OECD. He stressed that the OECD’s role as the leading organisation which defines world-class economic standards should be maintained. Moreover, speaking at the anniversary session of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC), the deputy head of the Polish MFA highlighted the role the DAC plays in setting global standards of development cooperation, which are then implemented by donors of development assistance all over the world.

Ambassador Aleksander Surdej gave an interview for PISM Brussels Podcast. The conversation concerned the activities of the OECD, Poland's cooperation with the Organization, and the 25th anniversary of Poland's membership in the OECD.