Membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is highly coveted as a signal to investors of a country’s commitment to democracy and the free market. The multiyear application process helps drive political consensus and reform, and participation in the OECD encourages continuity in public policy.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the OECD provides technical assistance to address inequality and strengthen public health and education systems. However, only four of the organization’s 38 members are in the region, Mexico (1994), Chile (2010), Colombia (2020), and Costa Rica (2021). Notably, the list excludes two of the three biggest economies in the region. In 2022, the OECD announced a historic expansion in Latin America, inviting Argentina, Brazil, and Peru to pursue membership.

How have the region’s OECD members benefited from engagement with the organization? What would Argentina, Brazil, and Peru gain from membership? What are their near-term prospects for admittance? Please join the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program on Thursday, April 18, from 3:00pm to 4:30pm ET, for a special discussion about the OECD’s Latin America agenda and the future of its regional expansion.