Mathias Cormann takes office as new OECD secretary general

ANKARA

Mathias Cormann took office as new secretary general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the organization announced on Tuesday.

Cormann, who has been appointed by member governments for a five-year term, was Australia’s finance minister from 2013-2020 and leader of the government in the Senate from 2017-2020.

He also served as minister for the public service in 2018-2019.

Ministers and senior officials of the Organization’s 38 Member countries and outgoing Secretary-General Angel Gurria welcomed Cormann in a handover ceremony at the OECD Headquarters in Paris.

"I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust and confidence you have shown in appointing me as your OECD Secretary-General," he said. 

"I am ambitious for the OECD and what it can achieve with Members, for Members, and most importantly, for the people in Member countries. You can count on me to give it my absolute best as we work towards a better future, together."

Cormann was criticized by environmental groups due to his record on climate change. Greenpeace, a non-government organization, had opposed his candidacy and expressed "deep dismay and anger.”

ANKARA

Mathias Cormann took office as new secretary general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the organization announced on Tuesday.

Cormann, who has been appointed by member governments for a five-year term, was Australia’s finance minister from 2013-2020 and leader of the government in the Senate from 2017-2020.

He also served as minister for the public service in 2018-2019.

Ministers and senior officials of the Organization’s 38 Member countries and outgoing Secretary-General Angel Gurria welcomed Cormann in a handover ceremony at the OECD Headquarters in Paris.

"I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust and confidence you have shown in appointing me as your OECD Secretary-General," he said. 

Cormann was criticized by environmental groups due to his record on climate change. Greenpeace, a non-government organization, had opposed his candidacy and expressed "deep dismay and anger.”