Six candidates for post of OECD Secretary-General

OECD - Paris, 20 July 2005

Six candidates put forward for the post of OECD Secretary-General

Six OECD countries have put forward candidates for the post of Secretary General of the Organisation to succeed Donald. J. Johnston, whose term expires in May 2006. These candidatures will now be reviewed by the representatives of all OECD countries, with a view to reaching a consensus on the choice of a new Secretary General by 1 December 2005.

The candidatures received by the deadline of 15 July are as follows:

Mr. Marek BELKA (Poland)
Mr. Allan FELS (Australia)
Mr. Ángel GURRÍA (Mexico)
Mr. Seung-Soo HAN (Korea)
Mr. Alain MADELIN (France)
Mrs. Sawako TAKEUCHI (Japan)
Their biographies and other details are available on the OECD website at www.oecd.org/secretarygeneral/selection.

The candidates will be given the opportunity to set out their vision for the Organisation in a meeting with representatives of OECD countries in early October. The consultation process aimed at reaching an agreement on selection of a new Secretary General was commenced under the chairmanship of the Dean of the Heads of Delegations, Finnish Ambassador Jorma Julin, and will be continued under his successor as Dean, Swiss Ambassador Wilhelm Jaggi.

The prime challenge facing the next Secretary General will be to head the Organisation as it strengthens its activities against a background of increased economic interdependence both among the OECD countries and between OECD and non-OECD countries. Globalisation is reshaping long-lasting structures and patterns in the world economy: in this context, the OECD is strengthening its co-operation with non-OECD countries by sharing policy advice and best practices shaped through its work.

For further comment, journalists are invited to contact Chris Brooks, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at OECD (tel. 33 1 45 24 91 95) or Nicholas Bray, head of media relations (tel.33 1 45 24 80 90). Additional information about the OECD and its mandate and objectives can be found at www.oecd.org/about/.

ENDS

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