Secretary-General of the OECD

Mr. Angel Gurría

Secretary-General of the OECD

Born on May 8th, 1950, in Tampico, Mexico, Angel 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. For the first time in a generation, he steered Mexico’s economy through a change of Administration without a recurrence of the financial crises that had previously dogged such changes.

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 modernization and reform. Under his leadership, OECD has expanded its membership to include Chile, Estonia, Israel and Slovenia and opened accession talks with Russia. It has also strengthened 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.

Mr. Gurría has participated in various international not-for-profit bodies, including the Population Council, based in New York, and the Center for Global Development based in Washington. He chaired the International Task Force on Financing Water for All and continues to be deeply involved in water issues. He is a member of the International Advisory Board of Governors of the Centre for International Governance Innovation, based in Canada, and was the first recipient of the Globalist of the Year Award of the Canadian International Council to honour his efforts as a global citizen to promote trans-nationalism, inclusiveness, and a global consciousness.

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.

He is married to Dr. Lulu Quintana, a distinguished ophthalmologist, and they have three adult children.

Welcoming remarks

Ms. Gabriela Ramos

OECD Chief of Staff and Sherpa to the G20

Gabriela Ramos is the OECD Chief of Staff and Sherpa to the G20. Since 2006, she has been advising the Secretary-General, supporting his strategic agenda and contributing to the opening up of the organization to new members and partner countries. Recently, she contributed to the launch of major OECD initiatives related to gender issues, skills and development. Since 2009, having also taken on the role as the OECD Sherpa to the G20, she has been co-ordinating the contributions of the OECD to the group and has been representing the organization at the G20 Sherpa meetings.

Previously, she served as Head of the OECD Office in Mexico and Latin America, where she promoted OECD recommendations in many areas including health and education. She helped in the preparations of several OECD reports on Mexico, developed the OECD Forum there and launched the “Getting it Right” flagship publication series.

Prior to joining the OECD, Mrs. Ramos held several positions in the Mexican Government, notably as advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director of OECD Affairs. She has also held several positions as Professor of International Economy at the Universidad Iberoamericana and at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México. Ms Ramos holds an MA in Public Policies from Harvard University, and was a Fulbright and Ford MacArthur fellow.

Opening Session: Fostering Gender Diversity in Public Decision-Making for Inclusive Growth

Mr. Joe Wild

Chair, OECD Public Governance Committee, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Machinery of Government, Privy Council Office, Canada

Joe Wild is the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Machinery of Government, with the Privy Council Office. As such, he is responsible for providing advice to the Prime Minister on the structure and organization of government, including the Cabinet decision‑making process, the interpretation and application of the constitutional principles and conventions that underpin responsible government, and the roles and responsibilities of ministers.

Prior to this, Joe was the Executive Director, Strategic Policy, with the Treasury Board Secretariat, where he led the development of the government’s management agenda and the Action Plan to Address the Web of Rules. Joe began his career with the Department of Justice where he held various counsel positions with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, eventually finding his way to Ottawa in 2003 as the Senior Counsel, Treasury Board Legal Services. His notable files include being part of the legal team representing the government before the Commission of Inquiry onto the Sponsorship Program, and the development and implementation of the Federal Accountability Act.

In 1992, Joe graduated from Mount Allison University with a BA (Honours, Economic and Political Science). He went on to study law at the University of New Brunswick where he graduated with a LLB in 1995. In 2001, he received an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

* * *

Joe Wild occupe le poste de secrétaire adjoint du Cabinet, Appareil gouvernemental, au Bureau du Conseil privé. En cette qualité, il conseille le Premier ministre concernant la structure et l’organisation du gouvernement, notamment le processus décisionnel du Cabinet, l’interprétation et l’application des principes constitutionnels et des conventions qui sous-tendent un gouvernement responsable, ainsi que les rôles et les responsabilités des ministres.

Avant cela, M. Wild a été directeur exécutif, Politique stratégique, au Secrétariat du Conseil du Trésor. Il était responsable de l’élaboration du programme de gestion du gouvernement ainsi que du plan d’action pour démêler l’écheveau de règles. M. Wild a commencé sa carrière au ministère de la Justice; il a occupé divers postes de conseiller, notamment au sein de l’Agence de promotion économique du Canada atlantique et de la Société d’expansion du Cap-Breton, pour finalement, en 2003, se voir offrir un poste de conseiller principal à Ottawa, aux services juridiques du Conseil du Trésor. Parmi ses réalisations, notons sa participation à l’équipe de conseillers juridiques qui a représenté le gouvernement devant la Commission d’enquête sur le programme de commandites, ainsi qu’à l’élaboration et à la mise en œuvre de la Loi fédérale sur la responsabilité.

En 1992, Joe a obtenu un baccalauréat de l’Université Mount Allison (science économique et politique avec distinction). Il a poursuivi ses études en droit à l’Université du Nouveau-Brunswick où il a obtenu son baccalauréat en 1995. Il détient une maîtrise de l’Université de Phoenix depuis 2001.

Ms. Angela Merkel

Federal Chancellor of Germany

Born on 17 July 1954 in Hamburg; married

1973: Abitur (higher education entrance qualification) in Templin;

1973 – 1978: Studied Physics at Leipzig University;

1978 – 1990: Member of the academic staff at the Central Institute of Physical Chemistry at the Academy of Sciences;

1986: Awarded a doctorate;

1989: Member of "Demokratischer Aufbruch" (Democratic Awakening);

Since 1990: Member of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU);

1990: Deputy Government Spokeswoman of the de Maizière Government;

Since 1990: Member of the German Bundestag;

1991 – 1998: Deputy Chairwoman of the CDU;

1993 – 2000: Chairwoman of the CDU Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania;

1991 – 1994: Federal Minister for Women and Youth;

1994 – 1998: Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety;

1998 – 2000: General Secretary of the CDU Germany;

Since 2000: Chairwoman of the Christian Democratic Union Germany (CDU);

2002 – 2005: Chairwoman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag;

Since November 2005: Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Mr. Rolf Alter

Director, Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate, OECD

Mr. Rolf Alter is Director for Public Governance and Territorial Development of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. He leads a team of 150 staff to support governments in improving their public sector performance for the well-being of citizens and the competitiveness of their economies. Key areas include institutional reform, innovation, transparency and integrity in the public sector, results-oriented budgeting, regulatory reform, and the economics of regions and cities. Under his leadership, the Directorate pursues a rich programme of co-operation with non-member countries and international institutions to advance the research on empirical evidence and good policy practices of public sector economics and governance.

Previously, Mr. Alter was Chief of Staff of OECD Secretary-General Mr. Angel Gurría. He joined the OECD in 1991. Throughout his career with OECD he held different positions in the Economics Department and the Department of Financial, Fiscal and Enterprise Affairs. Between 1996 and 1998, Mr. Alter was an advisor to the Executive Director of the OECD, Mr Jean-Jacques Noreau.

Prior to joining the OECD, Mr. Alter was an economist in the International Monetary Fund, in Washington D.C. He started his professional career in 1981 in the German Ministry of Economy in Bonn. He is currently a member of the Global Agenda Council of the World Economic Forum.

Mr. Alter holds a doctorate degree from the University of Goettingen, Germany, following post-graduate work in Germany and the United States.

Ms. Lulama Xingwana

Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, South Africa

Replaced Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya as minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities on 31 October 2010.

Former Minister of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa since 11 May 2009.

Member of African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) National Working Committee (NWC) since 1993.

Member of Parliament since 1994.

Academic Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Witwatersrand (1985). Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development and Leadership Studies from Zimbabwe, Harare (1998).
Post Graduate Diploma in Economic Principles from the University of London (2002).
Enrolled for Master of Sciences in Development Finance at the University of London.
Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs of the Republic of South Africa (22 May 2006 10 May 2009).
Career/Memberships/Positions/Other Activities:

Worked for the Learn and Teach as a Tutor, trainer and running classes for the Domestic workers in the Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg and rural areas. (1985 -1987). Worked for the South African Council of Churches as Director, Women's Development Programmes (1987). Member of the Federation of South African Women (1981 - 1991). Member of the United Democratic Front (UDF) (1983 - 1991). Member of (ANCWL), Head of Development Section (1991 - 1994). Chairperson of Sports, and Recreation Portfolio Committee (1994 - 1999). Chairperson of Malibongwe Rural Development Project for women (1998 - 2000). Member of Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC) (1998 - 2001). Member of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Portfolio Committee (1996 - 2004). Chairperson of Parliamentary Women's Caucus (1999 - 2004). Member of Defence Portfolio Committee (1999 - 2004). Member of Minerals and Energy Portfolio Committee (1999 2004). Chairperson of Joint Monitoring Committee on Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Women (2002 - 2004). Chairperson of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Women's Caucus (2002 - 2004). Member of the Cabinet Committee on Investment and Employment (2004). Member of the Cabinet Committee on International Relations, Peace and Security (2004). Member of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Sector (2004). Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy of the Republic of South Africa (2004 - 2006). Former member of National Executive Committee (NEC) of ANC (1993 - 2007).

Mme Annemie Turtelboom

Ministre de la Justice, Belgique

Annemie Turtelboom est née le 22 novembre 1967 à Ninove. Après ces études de secondaire elle s’installa à Bruxelles pour des hautes études en économie, mais arriva finalement à l’université de Louvain où elle obtint le diplôme de master en économie

Elle donna pendant dix ans cours à la Katholieke Hogeschool de Louvain, où elle devenait la responsable de la formation en Marketing. En 2003 elle entra à la Chambre des Représentants, en tant qu’élue de l’Open VLD, après des années d’un engagement politique très intense, qui débuta lors de ses études.

Annemie Turtelboom se fit très vite remarquer au Parlement, avec sa maitrise de thèmes complexes, tel que le marché du travail et les pensions. En mars 2008, elle devient la première ministre chargée uniquement des questions de migrations au sein du premier gouvernement d’Yves Leterme. Ce fut le début d’une année mouvementée qui, le 17 juillet 2009, la catapulta au ministère de l’Intérieur, où elle devint la première femme depuis 1830 à être en charge de cette administration. Elle s’y fit remarquer par une grande maitrise des dossiers, une approche pragmatique et une présence permanente sur le terrain.

Turtelboom mena les négociations de gouvernement sur le volet de la sécurité pendant l’automne de 2011 et fut nommé ministre de la Justice dans le gouvernement Di Rupo le 6 décembre. Sa tâche, en tant que première non-juriste depuis trente ans à ce département, était ni plus ni moins de faire démarrer enfin la réforme de la justice longuement attendue, et de s’attaquer à la crise permanente dans le secteur pénal.

M. Mohamed Moubdi

Ministre de la Fonction Publique et de la Modernisation de l’Administration, Président de l’Initiative OCDE-MENA pour la Gouvernance, Maroc

Né le 1 Juillet 1954 - Diplômé de l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Techniques Industrielles et des Mines d’ALES (France) Promotion 1984, Ingénieur En Chef des Mines.

Début de carrière au Ministère de l’Energie et des Mines en tant que Chargé de la Mise en place d’un plan pour l’Electrification Rurale, Promu en 1987, Chef du Service des Affaires Générales et Administratives,

Nommé, en 1992, Secrétaire Général du Centre de Développement des Energies Renouvelables (CDER) à l’occasion de sa restructuration – Membre Fondateur du Comité Interministériel du Suivi des Programmes d’Electrification Rurale (COSPER) ;

Vice-président du Groupement d’Etudes et de Recherches sur les Energies Renouvelables et l’Environnement (GERERE) – Membre du Bureau de l’Association Marocaine de Gestion de l’Energie (AMGE) – Membre Fondateur du Programme International de Maîtrise de l’Energie (PRISME) pour la région Maghreb-Moyen Orient,

Désigné à Harare (Zimbabwe), Membre du Comité de Suivi du Programme Mondial Solaire élaboré avec le soutien de l’UNESCO par le Comité Exécutif du Sommet des Chefs d’Etats – Elu au Conseil d’Administration de l’Association du Développement Régional «Ahmed Al Hansali»,

Participation à la réalisation de plusieurs études et a aidé au montage et au pilotage de projets socio-économiques – Membre de plusieurs comités scientifiques de séminaires et congrès internationaux et de comités de rédaction de revues et d’ouvrages scientifiques et techniques – Participation à plusieurs rencontres sur la gestion de l’énergie et sur le développement régional ,