The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) – the group of the 37 biggest free-market democracies in the world – announced May 25 that Colombia has now completed all main steps to join the group.

Formalization of affiliation will take place May 30 in Paris, when President Juan Manuel Santos and OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria sign the official “access agreement” papers during the reunion of the OECD Council of Ministers, according to the organization.

The recent, successful conclusion of talks between OECD and the Colombian government on intellectual property rights had been the main sticking point holding-up Colombia’s final approval.

“It’s great news for our country. OECD is the most important organization that promotes the best public policies in the world,” as well as providing a “stimulus to investment,” President Santos said.

As an OECD member, “we have immense possibilities to advance in health, education, the fight against corruption and protection of the environment,” Santos added.

During the seven-years-long accession process, Colombia underwent “in-depth evaluations, carried out by 23 OECD committees, and Colombia has undertaken major reforms to align its legislation, policies and practices with OECD standards on issues including labor, the judicial system, corporate governance of public enterprises, the fight against bribery and the field of trade, and has introduced new policies at the national level on industrial chemicals and waste management,” OECD added.