Academia de Guvernanță. Romania on the Path to OECD: The Test of Public Governance, Professionalization, and Mindset Shift
Romania’s accession to the OECD is more than a diplomatic milestone—it represents a systemic transformation that compels public administration and state-owned enterprises to adopt international standards of governance, transparency, and accountability. These themes were explored in an episode of Academia de Guvernanță. While Adrian Țuțuianu, Deputy Secretary General of the Romanian Government, highlights the strategic importance of this process for state modernization, Adriana Lobdă, founding member of ENVISIA, emphasizes the tangible benefits for citizens—from improved public services to stronger consumer protection—and stresses the crucial role of continuous professional development.
OECD: A Benchmark for Public Administration Reform and Investment Attraction
Romania is currently undergoing the stages of accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)—a strategic commitment that goes beyond international affiliation. It’s a complex process with clear benefits: modernizing public administration, increasing attractiveness to investors, and delivering better services to society.
“It is a catalyst and a major foreign policy objective, perhaps the most important since joining NATO and the European Union,” says Adrian Țuțuianu.
Joining the OECD would place Romania within an exclusive group of developed countries known for their high standards of governance—including in state-owned enterprises. So far, Romania has received favorable opinions from 13 of the 26 OECD committees, including key areas such as the corporate governance of state-owned enterprises—a first among candidate countries.
Increased confidence following OECD accession could generate major opportunities for Romania’s economy. The OECD accounts for about 70% of global trade and 90% of foreign direct investment. “Membership means increased investor attractiveness, modernization of public administration, and an improved country credit rating,” adds Țuțuianu.
Moreover, this process is supported by synergies with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and Romania’s obligations as an EU member.
The Human Dimension of Accession
The impact of joining the OECD goes beyond institutions. There is a human dimension with real societal benefits. “We will see higher living standards for citizens, more efficient and transparent public administration, and significant improvements in education, healthcare, and consumer protection,” explains Adriana Lobdă.
OECD membership will bring concrete advancements in areas that affect citizens’ everyday lives. The organization does not only assess economic policies but also monitors social and civic indicators—from corruption levels to the protection of personal savings.
“Success will be measured by how visible these standards become in daily life. We’re not just talking about state-owned companies, but about people—citizens—who must feel a change in how they are treated by public institutions, how their savings are protected, and their access to quality services,” says Lobdă.
A Complex Process with Public and Private Participation
The accession process is rigorous and includes aligning Romanian legislation with OECD standards. Ongoing evaluations are currently conducted by OECD working groups. The process has involved not only state institutions but also private actors, such as the Bucharest Stock Exchange. Romania has demonstrated strong compliance capacity, aiming to become a full OECD member by 2026.
Regarding challenges related to state-owned enterprises and their alignment with OECD standards, Țuțuianu notes that Romania already has a legislative framework in place since 2006–2011, including the dual and unitary board systems introduced under Company Law No. 31/1990 and Government Ordinance 109/2011 on the corporate governance of public enterprises.
“We had support from the World Bank, which pointed out that state-owned enterprises were not contributing enough to the state budget and were poorly governed,” he explains.
To align with OECD principles, the state must better define its role as an active shareholder—without undermining board autonomy—while objectively measuring performance. Țuțuianu also addresses the public misconception regarding board size, arguing that a larger number of members can enhance professional diversity and governance quality.
In turn, Adriana Lobdă highlights the importance of strategic responsibility and board independence.
“Boards must monitor and manage risk, promote transparency and meritocracy, and align with the organization's strategy. They must demonstrate accountability and transparency in both composition and decision-making.”
Challenges in Implementing Corporate Governance
Key challenges include operationalizing the Agency for Monitoring the Performance of State-Owned Enterprises (AMEPIP) and training personnel for new regulatory requirements. A crucial issue is the mindset within ministries that act as public authorities—these must start treating governance as a legal obligation, with penalties of up to €40,000 per individual for noncompliance.
Țuțuianu believes constant performance monitoring and standardization are needed. “Autonomous administrations should be transformed into joint-stock companies to fully implement corporate governance rules.”
Continuous Education – The Red Thread of OECD Standards
One of the most essential elements of effective governance is the ongoing professional development of board members. Professionalization, regular evaluation, and updated knowledge are critical to ensuring both effective corporate and public sector leadership.
Adriana Lobdă emphasizes that training programs must be adapted to context: “For state-owned companies, training should cover public policy, regulation, and the role of the state as majority shareholder. Programs must be tailored to individual needs and evolving market demands.”
“Large companies—even state-owned—engage in upskilling processes, adding competencies in digitalization, sustainability, and innovation. At the start of a board mandate, there should be a clear onboarding process, continued by at least a few training days per year. Some companies even condition board participation on ongoing knowledge updates, tracking training hours as a requirement.”
ENVISIA offers such programs through its partnership with Henley Business School—one of Europe’s most prestigious board education centers. Registrations are now open for a new cohort, with applications accepted until September 5 here.
Conclusion: Public–Private Convergence for Strategic Governance
OECD principles applied to both private and public enterprises show that effective governance is vital to Romania’s development. The Romanian state must accelerate reforms and build a coherent, performance-oriented, and professional ecosystem.
Top 3 Key Takeaways
- OECD accession is a major strategic step for Romania. It is considered the most important foreign policy milestone since NATO and EU accession, with the potential to transform public administration, investment climate, and quality of life.
- The benefits of accession directly impact citizens. OECD standards translate into better public services, increased transparency, improved education and healthcare, protection of personal savings, and citizen-centered public institutions.
- Continuous education is a core OECD principle. Boards of directors must benefit from constant, context-adapted training. Through its partnership with Henley Business School, ENVISIA offers professional development programs tailored for board members.
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