Mathias Cormann set for nail-biting finish in race to become OECD secretary-general
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London: Mathias Cormann has fended off more competitors in the race to become the next secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development as expectations rise in Europe that the former Australian senator could pull off a historic victory.
The ex-finance minister has survived another cull of candidates for the influential global position ahead of a final decision being made later this month.
Sources at the Paris-based OECD told The Sydney Morning Herald and
Although it may not regularly make headlines, the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is an important multilateral institution. With its standard-setting capability, the organisation’s 300 committees and 3300-member secretariat have carved unique policy niches on trade, anti-corruption efforts, international taxes, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and official development assistance through the Development Assistance Committee.
With 38 members that represent almost two-thirds of global economic activity, the OECD is the world’s most elite club of free-market economies. This exclusivity has helped the OECD avoid the modern expansion fatigue of other multilateral organisations, such as NATO, whose “open door policy” has hindered its ability to effectively influence its member nations.
Estonia s President Kersti Kaljulaid passed the first round of interviews as a candidate for the head of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). She is one of eight candidates running for the position of secretary-general. After the first round of consultations, the Czech and Polish candidate received the least support and withdrew their candidacies from further competition. So there are eight candidates left in the competition, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Angelika Lebedev told ERR on Tuesday.
The first round took place on January 7-8 and the second is due to be held on January 21-22. The last round is likely to take place in March. Current secretary-general Angel Gurri s third term in office will end in May 2021.