Pedro Sánchez advocates a strong, resilient and green recovery that leaves no one behind

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

In his speech, entitled "The path to recovery: strong, resilient, green and inclusive", the President of the Government underlined that Spain advocates a change of productive model and of progress, with greater international cooperation and a stronger multilateral system, to deal with the global challenges we are facing.

The President of the Government highlighted that "Economic policies must be adapted to guarantee a sound recovery that leads to the creation of more and better jobs and that leaves no one behind. Furthermore, social protection and job market measures must be well aligned to promote a recovery that protects the most vulnerable and prevents the exacerbation of existing socio-economic gaps".

The COVID-19 crisis has clearly shown the need for greater international cooperation and coordination in different spheres, from fiscal and monetary responses to the crisis to actions to enhance the resilience of global value chains.

One of the areas in which international cooperation is more necessary than ever is global taxation, particularly digital taxation. The pandemic has strengthened the dominant position of digital businesses, increasing their revenue at the expense of more traditional businesses. In this regard, the President of the Government pointed out that it is more crucial than ever to reach a multilateral solution to the challenges posed by the digital economy, and expressed his support for the role played by the OECD to this end.

Pool Moncloa/J. M. CuadradoIn his speech, Pedro Sánchez highlighted that the current situation requires international cooperation and strong multilateral institutions, but stressed that we must not forget such lasting global challenges as climate change, the fight against poverty and the conservation of biodiversity. In this regard, Pedro Sánchez claimed that "we cannot return to an economy like before COVID-19. We must see the recovery as an opportunity to make progress towards a pattern of more resistant, more ecological, more digital and more inclusive growth. The countries that appreciate this and act quickly will come out stronger and with a competitive edge from the pandemic".

"The pandemic must not be an excuse to put our ecological plans to one side. On the contrary, most of us agree on the urgency and the political will to step up the existing plans for the transition to a carbon-free society and to transform our economies", said the President of the Government. Furthermore, Pedro Sánchez urged the world's leaders not to forget developing countries, particularly now that "history demands more multilateralism", and committed to a gender perspective to ensure a fairer society.

The President of the Government recalled that his government is already working on a National Investment and Reform Plan, based on four cross-cutting pillars: the Green Transition, the Digital Transformation, Social and Territorial Cohesion and the Closure of the Gender Gap.

Spain's Rotating Presidency of the OECD

Spain has invested a great deal of effort this year, as holder of the Rotating Presidency, and has proposed an innovative format. Accordingly, in recent months, the government has organised several ministerial meetings in which more than 100 ministers have addressed issues related to this year's theme, which will be closed off with the Ministerial Meeting held over recent days, gathering together 37 economic affairs and finance, foreign affairs and trade ministers, as well as ministers with other portfolios, representing more than 50 countries.

During his speech, Pedro Sánchez gave "a special welcome to our friends from Colombia and Costa Rica", since it is the first time that Colombia forms part of the meetings as a member in its own right, and Costa Rica has been invited to become a member of the OECD.

Three ministers from the Government of Spain will give speeches over the working days of the meeting: the Third Vice-President of the Government and Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño; the Fourth Vice-President of the Government and Minister for the Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera; and the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto. In addition, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Arancha González Laya, will moderate one of the meetings and chair the closing event of the OECD Ministerial Meeting.

The President of the Government concluded his speech by underlining that "in this context, I would like to encourage the OECD to continue its efforts towards the development of an indicator that includes, together with GDP, other important dimensions of progress and standards of living related to sustainability, inclusion and well-being. This new economy needs new, more sustainable and inclusive indicators on these issues".

Non official translation