The OECD, together with governments of the US, Australia and Japan, has commenced consultations on the development of
the Blue Dot Network certification process.
The Blue Dot Network seeks to help bridge the global infrastructure investment gap by establishing a globally recognised
symbol of market-driven, transparent and sustainable infrastructure projects.
To achieve this, the Blue Dot Network aims to support and attract investment into quality infrastructure through the
establishment of a voluntary, private-sector-focused and government-supported certification scheme for infrastructure
projects.
“As we “Build Back Better” after the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainable, quality infrastructure that meets Blue Dot Network
standards will help ensure a sustainable global economic recovery,” said Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, Acting
Undersecretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, US Department of State.
We know that there is strong support for such a global certification framework, because an OECD survey of prospective
members of the Executive Consultation Group showed, that an overwhelming 96% of respondents agreed that such a framework
would help drive quality infrastructure investment.
Indeed, initial findings from this report show that survey respondents overwhelmingly supported a framework to assist
investors in identifying projects that have positive sustainability features and therefore represent lower-risk
investments.
“This initiative helps achieve many of the OECD’s core objectives – from environmental protection to ensuring
responsible business conduct, high quality infrastructure governance, anti-corruption, gender equality, sustainable
finance as well as economic and social progress,” OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said.
“We are also home to many of the key international standards in these areas, including the OECD Guidelines for
Multinational Enterprises, the OECD Recommendation on Public Procurement, and the Anti-Bribery Convention. We have
experience promoting policies on quality infrastructure investment through our regional programmes, including in
Southeast Asia.”
Over 150 global executives, covering 96 OECD and non-OECD countries, responsible for approximately USD 12 trillion of
the world’s assets under management, have participated in the launch of an OECD-led Executive Consultation Group to provide high-level guidance for the Blue Dot Network.
The launch of this group coincides with the release of results of a new OECD report that documents demand from both the
private sector and civil society for a global certification framework that promotes quality infrastructure investment
and streamlines international infrastructure standards.
“The Blue Dot Network will promote, facilitate and streamline the application of international standards and best
practices, and thereby ensure a level playing field and contribute to building trust around quality infrastructure
investments,” Mathias Cormann said.
The OECD, at the request of the governments of the United States, Australia and Japan, will provide technical support
for the Blue Dot Network by building an evidence-base, mobilising a multi-stakeholder partnership and designing the
certification framework.
As many governments look to stimulate their economies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blue Dot Network could
provide a timely tool for enabling the quality infrastructure investment that will support a stronger, sustainable,
cleaner, and more inclusive recovery.
In particular, the report found that the Blue Dot Network could potentially:overcome key obstacles inhibiting infrastructure investment through strengthening transparency and ensuring alignment
with best-in-class international standardssimplify the integration of sustainability considerations in infrastructure development and investmentbuild greater confidence around the value and integrity of Environment Social Governance dataintroduce greater efficiency in the infrastructure investment processfoster greater infrastructure investment in low- and middle-income countries
‘’If we are to optimise the recovery from the pandemic, reach global net zero by 2050 and achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals, we must find better ways to bridge the infrastructure gap,” said Peter Matthews, Executive Director
CoST and Executive Director Engineers Against Poverty. “The Blue Dot Network will help us raise standards and has the
potential to make a major contribution in this endeavour.’’