Head of Division Cities, Urban Policies and Sustainable Development, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Aziza Akhmouch brings over 20 years of expertise in sustainable development, spanning intergovernmental, academic, diplomatic, and civil society sectors.
At the OECD, she has made a significant impact by founding and managing the Water Governance Programme (2007–2017) and subsequently establishing and leading the Cities and Urban Policies Division since 2017. In this role, she guides a diverse, multidisciplinary team in advising national and local governments on creating better urban policies for improved quality of life.
Her work involves generating internationally comparable data, conducting evidence-based analysis, and delivering city and country reviews, policy recommendations, and global standards. She also champions best practices, knowledge sharing, peer-learning, and capacity building.
Aziza combines strategic vision and sharp analytical acumen in global public policy and multilateralism with deep technical expertise in environmental, urban, and socio-economic development. Her strong track record in research, writing, and communication is complemented by a proven ability to design, manage, and scale innovative programmes, foster multi-stakeholder dialogues, and build strategic partnerships.
A PhD holder in Geopolitics, Aziza has enriched her academic and professional perspective through international experiences in Spain, the UK, and Argentina, reinforcing her global outlook and cultural fluency.