Boosting government efficiency and effectiveness will improve citizens’ well-being and trust in government. The report shows significant potential for governments to leverage technology and data for improved performance. Currently, 60 percent of OECD countries are using data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and mobile technologies to drive procurement efficiency, yet substantial gaps remain in data accessibility. On average, only 47 percent of OECD governments’ high-value datasets are available as open data, falling to just 37 percent of education datasets and 42 percent of health and social welfare datasets. Governments can also make better use of budgeting tools such as spending reviews to optimise existing resources, prevent excessive debt, and ensure public money delivers lasting benefits. These reviews can also leverage data, digital tools, and AI to maximise their effectiveness. The report also shows that there is further space to simplify regulations for people and businesses. In support of these efforts, the OECD’s Simplifying for Success (S4S) Initiative promotes global efforts to reduce regulatory burden through streamlined regulations and administrative processes. Governing for the green transition – the topic of a special chapter in this year’s report – illustrates the scope and scale of the long-term challenges governments face, as well as the critical importance of environmental policy co-ordination as countries work toward climate goals while managing economic and social impacts. Twenty-three OECD countries have enshrined emissions targets into law and five more are proposing to do so, while nearly half of OECD countries have also established dedicated independent advisory bodies to guide and monitor progress. However, detailed data on their roles and powers remain scarce, indicating the need for clearer frameworks. Similarly, green public procurement (GPP) frameworks have been adopted by 35 out of 38 OECD countries, but only 11 countries are developing methodologies to measure their environmental impact, such as the amount of emissions mitigated. Assessing the environmental impact of new laws, ensuring alignment with sustainability goals and meeting clearly defined objectives will help build the broad societal consensus required for a successful green transition. turning to deliberative democratic practices, such as citizens’ assemblies, juries, and public dialogues. Between 1979 and 2023, the OECD recorded 716 such processes, with 20 percent (148) occurring between 2021 and 2023 alone. To remain meaningful, participants must be given feedback on these processes and feel that their inputs have led to action. The report also emphasises the need to strengthen systems to respond to citizens’ expectations in the face of rapid societal and economic changes. In most OECD countries economic issues dominate people’s concerns. Inflation tops the list (59%), followed by poverty and social inequality (33%), and unemployment and jobs (22%). Youth unemployment remains a particular concern, with an average of 12.6 percent of young people not in employment, education, or training in 2023. Governments must continue expanding education and training opportunities to help younger people participate in and benefit from economic growth and establish more secure career trajectories. Access to justice is also key to citizens’ wider sense of security. To this end, governments need to step up efforts to ensure affordable, accessible and independent justice systems. 8 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 06
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