TALLINN, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid on Monday said that the world is facing a transition period in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and emphasized the need for "better policies for better lives."
Kaljulaid is preparing her candidacy for secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and on Monday she presented her vision for the organization at an online press conference. Kaljulaid was nominated by Estonia last week to succeed incumbent Angel Gurria, who said in July that he would not seek reelection.
"In 2020, we are living in a period of great transition," Kaljulaid said. "Transition from industrial to digital economy, and from fossil to clean energy. As a firm believer in multilateralism, I see the OECD as an enabler for its global community of developed nations taking an active role in bringing together the best knowledge globally to help the governments cope with these changes," she said.
Kaljulaid stressed the need to inspire the member states to consider the potential of digital transformation in achieving the obvious common goals: sustaining democracy, developing economy and saving the planet.
She also listed education, gender equality, healthcare for all, particularly in the light of the pandemic, and the economy of digital transformation as the other key areas of work if she were to take up the post as the head of the OECD next summer.
Turning to jobs, taxes and public services, the Estonian president emphasized the need for flexibility and accessibility for citizens to "keep them happy."
She vowed to promote human rights, democracy, the free market economy and social inclusion, while offering opportunities for the new emerging economies.
The OECD of the current 37 member countries must also be ready to accept new members if they meet the criteria, Kaljulaid added.
"The OECD continues to be one of the most important international organizations for ensuring sustainable development, particularly now, where the OECD is providing in-depth analyses and the advice how to cope with the economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis," said Clyde Kull, Estonia's permanent representative to the OECD, adding that Estonia contributes and shares its experience in the fields of e-governance, education, digitalization and other areas.
Founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade, the OECD is an international organization that works to build better policies for better lives. Enditem
