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Going for Growth 2007: The Political Economy of Reform Moderator: Connie Morella, US Ambassador to the OECD Presentation: Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General Jean-Philippe Cotis, OECD Chief Economist

Event Description:

US Ambassador to the OECD, Connie Morella, will introduce Secretary General Angel Gurría and Jean-Philippe Cotis, OECD Chief Economist, who will present Going for Growth 2007. Many OECD countries (notably Japan and Continental Europe) are failing to narrow the gap in GDP per capita vis-à-vis the United States, calling for a reassessment of their main economic policies. The presentation will provide an overview of the growth performance of the 30 OECD member economies and spell out policy recommendations to address their weaknesses, with a focus on productivity, competition and labor markets. It will also highlight how best to go, in practice, from sound policy advice to reform on the ground.   

Constance A. Morella was appointed to serve as United States Ambassador to the OECD in 2003. She is the first United States Ambassador to the OECD ever to have served in the United States Congress.  From 1987 until January 2003, Ambassador Morella represented Maryland’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Angel Gurría became Secretary-General of the OECD in June 2006. As Mexico's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 1998, he made dialogue and consensus-building a hallmark of his approach to global issues.  As Mexico’s Minister of Finance from 1998 to 2000, he steered Mexico’s economy through a change of Administration without a repetition of the currency crises that had dogged previous changes.  

Jean-Philippe Cotis has served as OECD Chief Economist and Head of the Economics Department since 2002. Previously, he held top positions at the French Ministry of Finance, and from 1997 to 2002, was a member of the Prime Minister’s Council of Economic Advisors. He was chairman of the Economic Policy Committee of the European Union during 2001-02.