Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria proposed as WTO head, US opposed

GENEVA – Key ambassadors from the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Wednesday chose Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the best choice to lead the organization, but Washington opposed her, saying she supported the Korean trade minister. South, Yoo Myung-hee.

The so-called troika of ambassadors that heads the three main branches of the WTO determined after four months of consultations with member states that Okonjo-Iweala was the most likely to obtain the necessary consensus to assume the main position, he told reporters WTO spokesperson Keith Rockwell.

The initial pool of eight candidates for the WTO’s highest post was reduced to just two in two previous rounds of consultations, with only Okonjo-Iweala and South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee left in contention. .

Therefore, the world trade body will be led for the first time by a woman, either of the two final candidates succeeds in their attempt to follow Roberto Azevedo, who stepped down as director general of the WTO in August, a year ahead of schedule.

The troika, led by New Zealand Ambassador David Walker, concluded the third round of consultations on Tuesday.

Her decision marks an important step in paving the way for Okonjo-Iweala to become the first woman and the first African to lead the organization.

But the 164 member states of the WTO have yet to determine whether they will support it before their next General Council meeting on November 9.

And on Wednesday, Washington already said it opposed her taking office, questioning whether she can get the necessary full backing from member states.

‘IMMENSELY MOIST’

Rockwell said 27 delegations had spoken during Wednesday’s meeting.

“One delegation was unable to support the candidacy of Dr. Nogzi and said it would continue (to support) South Korean Minister Yoo,” he said.

“That delegation was the United States of America.”

Meanwhile, Rockwell noted that Wednesday’s meeting “was never intended to make a final decision on our next CEO (CEO).”

“That decision can only be made by the General Council,” he said.

Okonjo-Iweala, 66, who served as her country’s prime minister for foreign affairs and finance and has a 25-year career behind her as a development economist at the World Bank, thanked the troika for its support.

“Dr. Ngozi is immensely honored to receive the endorsement of the WTO selection committee today,” a spokesperson told AFP in an email.

“She is honored by the faith the members have placed in her.”

Okonjo-Iweala expressed confidence earlier this month that she would be the chosen candidate.

“I feel the wind behind me,” she said at a virtual press conference after the 55-member African Union officially supported her.

‘CANDIDATE FOR REFORM’

Okonjo-Iweala, who also sits on Twitter’s board of directors, as president of the GAVI vaccine alliance and as a special envoy for the fight against COVID-19 of the World Health Organization (WHO), saw her candidacy receive another boost. this week when the EU threw its weight behind it.

If she gets the backing of the consensus, she would be the first woman and the first African to lead the world trade body in its 25-year history.

And he would certainly have his hands full in the new position.

Even before the COVID-19 crisis hit, the WTO was already grappling with stalled trade talks and struggling to stem tensions between the United States and China.

The world trade body has also faced relentless attacks from Washington, which has crippled the WTO dispute settlement appeals system and threatened to leave the organization entirely.

Okonjo-Iweala said earlier this month that she had extensive experience advocating for reform and was the right person to help get the WTO back on track.

“I am a candidate for reform and I believe that the WTO needs the credentials and skills of reform now.”

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