As Secretary of Finance (1998–2000),[9] Gurría oversaw the initial years of Mexico's membership in the OECD and chaired the organization's ministerial council in 1999.

[10] Gurría is widely seen as the architect of the Mexican economic stabilization, partially by cutting government spending six times during the Zedillo administration.

After leaving government office, Gurría taught International Relations and Financial Economics at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM).

[11] In 2005, Gurría emerged at the head of a crowded field of candidates, including former Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka, to succeed Donald Johnston of Canada as the OECD secretary general.

[15] He also belonged to the United Nations Secretary General’s Global Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, chaired by former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto of Japan.

Most recently, he was distinguished by the President of Korea with the Gwandwha Medal for Diplomatic Service, and also received recognition to his longstanding contribution to the development of public administration in Mexico, the Medalla al Mérito Administrativo Internacional Gustavo Martínez Cabañas, awarded by the Instituto Nacional de Administración Pública (INAP).