THE Council of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on Monday appointed Australia's former Finance Minister Mr Mathias Cormann as their next head, becoming the first person from the Asia-Pacific to become Secretary-General.

Mr Cormann will lead the 37-member economic body as its sixth Secretary-General, taking the reins for a five-year term beginning on June 1, 2021, the day after Secretary-General Mr Angel Gurria's final term concludes after 15 years at the helm of the OECD.

Member countries took this decision following the conclusion of the seven-month selection process which began in August, 2020. He beat nine other candidates as went head-to-head with the Swedish European Union trade minister Mr Cecilia Malmstrom and former Greek education secretary Ms Anna Diamantopoulou.

Mr Cormann, the former Australian Liberal Party member, existed from Parliament late last year to head his OECD campaign.

His OECD run was marred by objections over his climate record and criticism for his vote against declaring a climate emergency and failing to take action in cutting emissions.

The 50-year-old said that under his leadership, the OECD would work to promote "stronger, cleaner, fairer economic growth and to raise employment and living standards" as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Cormann's first days in office will coincide with the first of two sessions of the Annual OECD Ministerial Council Meeting to be held on May 31-June 1.