Ángel Gurría

SECRETARY GENERAL AT OECD (2006-2021).

President, Paris Peace Forum. Minister of Foreign Affairs of México (1994-98).

Ángel Gurría speaker, conferencia, OCDE
English · French · Italian · Portuguese · Spanish

Born on May 8th, 1950, in Tampico, Mexico, Ángel Gurría came to the OECD following a distinguished career in public service, including two ministerial posts. As Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from December 1994 to January 1998, he made dialogue and consensus-building one of the hallmarks of his approach to global issues. From January 1998 to December 2000, he was Mexico’s Minister of Finance and Public Credit.

As OECD Secretary-General, since June 2006, he has reinforced the OECD’s role as a ‘hub” for global dialogue and debate on economic policy issues while pursuing internal modernisation and reform. Under his leadership, the OECD has expanded its membership to include Chile, Estonia, Israel and Slovenia and opened accession talks with Russia.

It has also strengthened its links with other major emerging economies, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa, with a view to possible membership. The OECD is now an active participant in both the G-8 and the G-20 Summit processes. 

He has also heralded a new growth narrative that promotes the well-being of people, including women, gender and youth, and he scaled up the OECD contribution to the global agenda, including the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

He is a regular contributor to some of the world´s leading newspapers and journals.

 

En 2023, Ángel Gurría was appointed as the new President of the Paris Peace Forum, an organization created by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2018 to promote multilateralism and collective action. It serves as a platform for Heads of State and Government to meet with international organizations, NGOs, civil society, and representatives from the private sector, with a central focus on innovative solutions that address current global challenges related to governance. The Forum revolves around five thematic areas: peace and security, environment, development, inclusive economy, and new technologies.

Ángel Gurría has received several awards and decorations from more than 25 countries, including the titles of Grand officier de la Légion d’honneur; Chevalier dans l’ordre du Mérite agricole; and has been awarded the Gwangwha Medal for Diplomatic Service; the Medalla al Mérito Administrativo Internacional; and the Globalist of the Year Award.

Mr. Gurría holds a B.A. degree in Economics from UNAM (Mexico), and a M.A. degree in Economics from Leeds University (United Kingdom). He speaks Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, Italian and some German.