The OECD has developed a framework for country risk management through its High Level Risk Forum, which promotes integrated risk management across countries. The forum addresses interconnected risks and facilitates peer learning through country peer reviews. It takes a modular approach including cross-country risk analysis, interagency crisis management, and risk communication. The framework also focuses on risk assessment and financial resilience, helping countries strengthen preparedness through risk monitoring, analysis of exposed assets, and communication. National risk assessments conducted by OECD countries generally evaluate all hazards over multiple years, involve multiple stakeholders, and aim to optimize financial systems and national security.

1. Country Risk Management
An OECD approach
Stephane Jacobzone,
Counsellor,
OECD Public Governance and Territorial Development

2. Strengthening country risk management
Over a decade of experience
The High Level Risk Forum (2011)
- a governance framework
- public private partnerships
A common platform to:
• Help government prepare for major risks
• Address policies over the full risk management cycle
Coordination with other OECD fora and networks
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3. The High Level Risk Forum
• Promotes integrated risk management
• Addresses the interconnectedness of risks
• Modular approach
e.g. in 2012:
– Cross country analysis of risk assessment
– Interagency crisis management
– Risk and crisis communication
– Country peer reviews of risk management policy
 Identify successful risk management practices
and facilitate diffusion and peer learning
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4. Framework for Disaster Risk Management
 A focus on Risk Assessment and Financing
 Helping countries to strengthen resilience and
optimise their financial system
Assessing Risks
- Importance of governance, transparency,
accountability, and multi stakeholder involvement
- Risk analysis, and vulnerability: exposed
population and assets, socio economic factors
- Monitoring risks and portfolio of risks over time
- Role for internal and external communication
- Use to strengthen preparedness: priority setting,
risks to be prevented, reduced or transferred
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through financial instruments

5. National risk assessment:
examples from country practices
Country National Risk How many times Lead Department Time horizon of All hazards?
Assessment completed? events included
*Australia Yes --- --- --- Natural, biological, technological,
industrial and
other human phenomena
Canada Yes Once Public Safety Canada 5 years All: natural, technological accidents,
manmade, health
France Under --- Prime Ministry 5 years All: Natural hazards, manmade,
industrial accidents
development
.
*Germany Yes --- All: Natural, manmade, industrial
Hungary Yes More than twice Ministry of the Interior 3 years Natural, industrial accidents, migration
*Mexico Partially --- Ministry of the Interior Natural hazards, industrial accidents
Netherlands Yes More than twice Ministry of Security and 5 years All: Natural, manmade, industrial
Justice accidents, and other potential risks to
national security
*New Yes --- Prime Minister and --- Natural, manmade
Cabinet
Zealand
Norway Yes Once Ministry of Justice 6+ years All: Natural, manmade, industrial
(CEP coordinator) accidents, ICT, infrastructure
Switzerland Yes Once Department of Defence 1 year All: Natural, manmade, industrial
Sweden No, in 2013 --- Ministry of Defence 5+ years All: Natural, manmade, industrial
*United Yes More than twice Cabinet Office 5 years All: Natural, manmade, industrial
Kingdom
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USA Yes Once Department of 3-5 years All: Natural, manmade, industrial
Homeland Security

6. National risk assessment: key features
Overall summary of risks portfolio: impact
and likelihood
Existence of mechanisms to allow for whole
of government approach: Canada, France,
Hungary, Netherlands, Sweden, UK, US
Public access to results: Hungary, Mexico,
Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, UK
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