30 Years of Czechia in the OECD: Global Cooperation in Times of Technological and Geopolitical Change

How to Connect OECD Expertise and Business Vision for Resilient and Sustainable Growth

21 January 2026 | 14:30–17:00 | Academic Club, Prague University of Economics and Business, Prague

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, in cooperation with the Prague University of Economics and Business, organised a panel discussion marking the 30th anniversary of Czechia’s OECD membership.

The event offered a look back at three decades of cooperation and opened a discussion on how geo-economic shifts are shaping global trade relations and international rules. Digital and energy transitions, growing sustainability requirements, and changing geopolitical dynamics are fundamentally transforming the environment in which both public and private sector actors operate today.

František Růžička, Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, highlighted the benefits of OECD membership for structural reforms and integration into the global economy—factors that have been crucial for the Czech Republic. Blanka Fajkusová from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic shared personal reflections from the period of the country’s accession and reviewed the evolution of the OECD agenda, which has consistently demonstrated its ability to respond to changes in the global landscape. In a discussion moderated by Aleš Chmelař, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the OECD, participants also reflected on the next thirty years and the future role of the OECD.

The second panel was opened by Marion Jansen, Director for Trade and Agriculture at the OECD, who focused on the practical trade agenda and the harmonisation of standards. In this respect, the OECD platform was described as more flexible and faster than other international organisations with broader membership. The business perspective was presented by Martin Vohánka, founder and CEO of Eurowag and Ambassador of the Second Economic Transformation. He emphasised the importance of innovation and a supportive business environment, noting that in cutting-edge trends Czech entrepreneurs are starting from the same line as companies anywhere in the world—and therefore have an equal chance of success if they remain sufficiently proactive.

This view was echoed by Ayaz Zeynalov, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of International Relations of the Prague University of Economics and Business, who has long focused his research on innovation and creativity. Questions from the panel moderator, Ondřej Houska, also addressed the current geopolitical situation and the roles of the European Union and the United States in today’s global order.

PROGRAMME

14:30 – 14:40 | Opening Remarks

  • Petr Dvořák, Rector, Prague University of Economics and Business
  • Marie Chatardová, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

14:40 – 15:30 | Keynote & Strategic Reflections
From Transformation to Resilience: 30 Years of Czechia in the OECD

  • František Ružička, Deputy Secretary-General, OECD
  • Blanka Fajkusová, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
    Moderator: Aleš Chmelař, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the OECD

15:45 – 16:45 | Panel Discussion
Czechia in Tomorrow’s Economy: Innovation, Sustainability, and Global Competitiveness

  • Marion Jansen, Director for Trade, OECD
  • Martin Vohánka, Founder & CEO, Eurowag; Ambassador of the Second Economic Transformation
  • Ayaz Zeynalov, Associate Professor, Faculty of International Relations, Prague University of Economics and Business
    Moderator: Ondřej Houska, Hospodářské noviny (Czech Economic Daily)

16:45 | Networking Reception
Wine & informal discussions

30 Years of Czechia in the OECD: Global Cooperation in Times of Technological and Geopolitical Change