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About the dataset on the governance of critical risks

Welcome to the OECD dataset on the governance of critical risks.

This dataset contains the results of the 2016 OECD survey which aims to take stock of the policies, processes and practices through which OECD member countries govern critical risks.

It is a tool to gather information further to the instruction of Article X of the OECD Council Recommendation on the Governance of Critical Risks, which calls for “the Public Governance Committee to monitor the implementation of this Recommendation and to report thereon to the Council no later than three years following its adoption and regularly thereafter, in consultation with other relevant OECD Committees”.

The dataset is divided according to the five principles of the OECD Recommendation on the Governance of Critical Risks:

  • Principle 1. Establishing a comprehensive, all-hazards and transboundary approach to country risk governance
  • Principle 2. Building preparedness through anticipatory capacity 
  • Principle 3. Raising awareness of critical risks, and investing in prevention and mitigation 
  • Principle 4. Developing adaptive capacity in ‘Strategic Crisis Management’
  • Principle 5. Enhancing accountability, transparency and continued learning.

The data are protected by copyright and we request that you be sure to cite the OECD as the source (OECD Dataset on the Governance of Critical Risks). Furthermore, to help us track the impact, we would appreciate receiving electronic copies of any papers that cite the database, to be sent to the following address: jack.radisch@oecd.org.

About the Survey

The content of the database was collected using an online questionnaire.

The Reform of the Public Sector Division of the OECD Directorate for Public Governance conducted this survey in the second semester of 2016. The survey was submitted  to country representatives in ministries of Internal/Civil protection or equivalent departments with lead responsibility for the management of critical risks (liaising with line departments and other key governmental stakeholders when relevant).

Written questionnaires were complemented by phone interviews to deepen some of the most significant aspects. Policy documents, guidelines, and regulatory reference documents complemented the information base and were analysed when available. The  forthcoming OECD publication on Implementing the Recommendations on the Governance of Critical Risks will present more detailed results of the survey.