Governance of Infrastructure
The governance of infrastructure is the policies, frameworks, norms, processes and tools, used by public bodies to plan, make decisions on, implement and monitor the entire life cycle of public infrastructure. The Recommendation on the Governance of Infrastructure, adopted by the OECD Council in July 2020, provides countries with practical guidance for efficient, transparent and responsive decision-making processes in infrastructure investment. It supports a whole-of-government approach and covers the entire life cycle of infrastructure projects, putting special emphasis on regional, social, gender, and environmental considerations.
Why is governance key to infrastructure investment and delivery?
Infrastructure has the potential to generate long-term benefits to society in terms of inclusive economic growth and improvements to wellbeing; it contributes to key policy priorities such as supporting the low-carbon transition, protecting biodiversity, making societies more resilient, tackling social and gender inequalities, addressing disparities across regions and cities and promoting sustainable development.
Yet, infrastructure investment is complex, and getting from conception to construction and operation is a long road fraught with obstacles and pitfalls. Poor governance is a major reason that infrastructure projects often fail to meet their timeframe, budget, and service delivery objectives. The goal of the OECD Recommendation on the Governance of Infrastructure is to address challenges and opportunities related to infrastructure investment and delivery from a multi-dimensional perspective, providing tools to strengthen policies and processes across the entire life cycle of public infrastructure.
Develop a long term strategic vision for infrastructure
Guard fiscal sustainability, affordability and value for money
Ensure efficient procurement of infrastructure projects
Ensure transparent, systematic and effective stakeholder participation
Co-ordinate infrastructure policy across levels of government
Promote a coherent, predictable and efficient regulatory framework
Implement a whole of government approach to manage threats to integrity
Promote evidence-informed decision making
Strengthen critical infrastructure resilience
