Who is popular today?

Incoming OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann has told Sky News the organisation strengthening its focus on the Indo-Pacific region will be “one of the priority areas” of his leadership.

The former long-serving finance minister won a close contest to become the next secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in which he touted his European background and his experience in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr Cormann said he will take “all of the experiences and all of the knowledge” gathered during his time as a Senator for Western Australia and finance minister, into his new role.

“Governments across Europe are very conscious of the importance of the Indo-Pacific moving forward,” he said.

“Which is why we received a very good reception when we argued the case that the OECD needed to strengthen its focus and its engagement across the Indo-Pacific.

"The fact that I was able to combine both European background with my Australian and Asia-Pacific experience and networks, was one of the selling points throughout the selection process.”