Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and 4 others today advanced to second round of selection process for director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The others are Yoo Myung-hee of the Republic of Korea, Amina C. Mohamed of Kenya, Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Liam Fox of the United Kingdom.
Okonjo-Iweala topped the list of successful candidates as announced.
WTO General Council Chair, David Walker of New Zealand and his two co-facilitators said that the five secured the broadest and deepest support from the WTO membership and should consequently advance to the next stage of the process.
“Throughout the six days of consultations it was clear to us that the entire membership is both committed to and fully engaged in this process,” Amb. Walker said.
He expressed gratitude to the candidates, including those who will not advance further.
Eight candidates were put forward by their home countries for the position.
Those that failed to make the cut include Dr. Jesus Seade Kuri of Mexico, Mr Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh of Egypt, and Amb. Tudor Ulianovschi of Moldova.
“Members consider all the candidates highly qualified and respected individuals, Walker said as he gave further details of the selection.
“During the confidential consultations Amb. Walker of New Zealand, Amb. Castillo, chair of the Dispute Settlement Body, and Amb. Aspelund, chair of the Trade Policy Review Body, posed to each delegation a single question: “What are your preferences?”
“Members then submitted four preferences to the “troika” of ambassadors.”
“I would also like to pay tribute to the dignified manner in which (the candidates), their delegations, and their Governments have conducted themselves in this process.
“Their willingness to engage, especially at these challenging times, has been greatly appreciated, and the Organization is in their debt.
“Their expertise and high professional and personal qualities are highly valued and respected by all Members.
“I am sure I speak on behalf of all of you in wishing them well in their future endeavours,” he said.
Amb. Walker said the second phase of consultations will begin on 24 September and run until 6 October.
During this time, members will be asked in the confidential consultations to express two preferences to the facilitators with an eye to bringing the number of candidates from five to two.
Following this process, Amb. Walker will call another Heads of Delegations meeting at which the results will be announced to the WTO membership.
The timetable for the third and final round of consultations will be announced at that time.
As Walker put it, “the ultimate objective of this measured and clearly defined process is to secure a consensus decision by members on the next Director-General.”
The General Council had on 31 July agreed that there would be three stages of consultations held over a two-month period commencing 7 September.
During the two months, the number of candidates would be reduced from eight to five and then two before a consensus is reached on which of the candidates becomes the WTO’s 7th Director-General.
The first of the consultative stages has now been completed.
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