Message from Ambassador Toshihide ANDO upon His Arrival
I have recently been posted as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Japan, to the OECD, with a sense of both anticipation and responsibility. Although I have made a number of official visits to France in the past, this is my very first posting in Paris, and I am looking forward to carrying out my duties and making new encounters.
Upon taking up this position, I would like to place particular importance to the following three points:
First is further collaboration with the OECD and more active engagement within the Organization. The OECD is a key forum for international rule-making with significant influence on global governance. I hope to build stronger and more organic ties between OECD and Japan, so that Japan can adopt the OECD’s advanced expertise and best practices more to Japanese policy, thus enhancing Japan’s economic development, while bringing Japan’s perspectives to OECD with a view to making Japan’s highly regarded policies and initiatives global standards.
Second is continued support for the OECD that has consistently led the international community, especially when multilateralism stands at a crossroads. The OECD is unique in its composition of like-minded countries and its decision-making through consensus while respecting each member’s views. In this changing world, I would like to help ensure that the OECD continues to play to its comparative strengths and evolve into an organization that is even more essential to the international community.
Third is further incorporation of perspectives from the Indo-Pacific region into OECD discussions. As a member country representing this region, looking ahead to the possible accession of countries such as Thailand and Indonesia to the OECD, I hope to reflect in the OECD’s discussions viewpoints and values of the Indo-Pacific, the world’s growth center.
Japan became the first Asian country to join the OECD in 1964. More than 60 years have passed since then, yet Japan’s commitment to driving global economic growth through free trade and investment hand in hand with the OECD remains steadfast. Together with the OECD Secretariat, dedicated Japanese staffs working within the organization, and like-minded member countries, I am determined to address global challenges, make steady progress through close cooperation and shared efforts, and contribute to building a better future.
October 2025
Toshihide Ando
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Permanent Representative of Japan to the OECD
