Earlier this month, Paris became the global hub for competition policy discussions as the OECD hosted the 23rd Global Forum on Competition. Over 360 participants from 105 countries gathered to exchange ideas and explore solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in the competition policy landscape.
Spanning two days of dynamic discussions, the forum highlighted critical intersections between competition and inequality, cross-border mergers and global food supply chains while peer reviewing Thailand’s competition regime. Here are the key takeaways from this year’s event:
1. Tackling inequality through competition policy
The forum explored how competition policy can help address inequality by dismantling barriers to market entry and fostering fairer access to goods and services. Speakers acknowledged that while competition policy cannot directly eliminate structural inequalities, it can slow the concentration of market power that exacerbates disparities.
For instance, competition authorities can curb practices such as monopolistic pricing and unequal access to essential goods and services, which disproportionately affect marginalized communities. However, balancing these goals with the core mission of ensuring well-functioning markets remains a challenge. The discussions underscored the importance of aligning competition policy with broader social objectives without diluting its primary focus.
🔗 Learn more about Competition and Inequality
2. The importance of international co-operation on Cross-Border Mergers
Globalisation has spurred a rise in cross-border mergers, which now represent over half of all merger activities. These transactions often require simultaneous review in multiple jurisdictions with varying legal frameworks, leading to different types of outcomes. The forum emphasised the need for deeper international co-operation to align timelines, enhance information sharing, and establish consistent review processes. Enhanced co-operation not only streamlines merger reviews but also prevents companies from exploiting regulatory gaps to bypass scrutiny.
🔗 Learn more about Challenges and sources of divergence in cross-border merger review or access all session materials
🔗 Cross-border mergers will be discussed again in an event open to all next February. Register now for the OECD Competition Open Day 2025
3. Competition to ensure food security and strengthen resilience in the food supply chain
Rising food prices and supply chain disruptions have underscored the importance of competition in ensuring food security. The forum examined how anti-competitive practices, such as buyer power abuse and market concentration, exacerbate price volatility and limit access to essential food products.
Discussions revealed that improving transparency and conducting thorough market studies are key to understanding supply chain dynamics. Delegates advocated for stronger enforcement mechanisms to address monopolistic behaviours at every stage, from agricultural inputs to retail distribution. Additionally, fostering international co-operation is crucial, given the global interdependence of food supply chains.
🔗 Learn more about Competition in the Food Supply Chain
🔗 Access all related session materials
4. Using evidence to inform policy decisions
A recurring theme across sessions was the importance of evidence-based policymaking. Delegates emphasized the role of market studies in uncovering anti-competitive practices and providing insights into industry-specific challenges. These studies equip competition authorities with the tools to implement targeted interventions that enhance market fairness and resilience. For example, recent investigations into food supply chains and cross-border mergers have demonstrated how market studies can bridge information gaps and enable more effective enforcement.
🔗 Find out more OECD work on Competition Market Studies
5. Broader societal and economic objectives can benefit from a competition perspective
The forum underscored the critical role of fair competition in addressing the complexities of a globalised economy. Whether tackling inequalities in digital markets or ensuring fair pricing in essential goods, the discussions highlighted the need for nuanced approaches that balance rivalry with broader societal goals. Delegates agreed that competition is not a panacea but a tool that must be wielded thoughtfully to create inclusive and sustainable markets.
6. Peer Reviews drive reforms and build trust
The forum also spotlighted the OECD's peer review process, with Thailand’s competition framework under examination this year. Peer reviews are praised as powerful tools for assessing national competition policies, fostering transparency, and encouraging improvements. Such reviews not only benefit the reviewed countries but also strengthen global trust and cooperation in competition enforcement.
🔗 Discover more OECD Competition Law and Policy Reviews.
The 2024 Global Forum on Competition demonstrated the transformative potential of competition policy when aligned with broader societal objectives. The insights shared will undoubtedly shape policy innovations and enforcement strategies in the years ahead. For more information on the OECD’s work in this area, visit the Global Forum on Competition website.
