OECD

In news: Many civil society organisations have criticised Brazil’s candidacy to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

More about it-

Concerns are raised about Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro’s human rights, social and environmental agenda.
One of the main issues is a proposed law backed by Bolsonaro and a conservative agribusiness lobby (known as the ‘ruralistas’) that is set to be approved by the country’s Lower House (Chamber of Deputies) at any time.
The Bill would undermine critical elements of national legislation concerning environmental impact assessments and licensing, as a means to fast-track approval of high-risk projects.
There is concern about another proposed law, which if passed, would allow industrial mining, hydroelectric dams, gas and oil exploration and other high-impact activities on indigenous lands.
Brazil has been invited to OECD meetings since 1999 but has not yet joined as a member state.

About OECD-

It is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 37 member countries, founded in 1961.
It aims to stimulate economic progress and world trade.
Generally, OECD members are high-income economies with a very high Human Development Index (HDI) and are regarded as developed countries.
It is an official United Nations observer.
In 1948, the OECD originated as the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC), led by Robert Marjolin of France, to help administer the Marshall Plan (which was rejected by the Soviet Union and its satellite states).
In 1961, the OEEC was reformed into the OECD and membership was extended to non-European states.
Its headquarters is in Paris, France.