Ebun Olowu
Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been selected for the the final stage in the race for the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Okonjo-Iweala, alongside South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee, are the final candidates remaining in the race.
WTO has never had a woman serve as director general in its 25-year history.
The initial pool of eight candidates to replace Roberto Azevedo, who stepped down as WTO director-general in August a year ahead of schedule, was narrowed down to five last month.
The three eliminated during the second round of so-called “confessionals” — in which all member states confidentially voice their preferences — were Liam Fox of Britain, Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri of Saudi Arabia, and Amina Mohamed of Kenya.
Jesus Saede Kuri of Mexico, Tudor Ulianovschi of Moldova and Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh of Egypt were cut during the first round.
Okonjo-Iweala and Yoo’s candidacies received a boost earlier this week when EU member states officially threw their weight behind them.
A third and final round of consultations will begin later this month and is scheduled to run until November 6, when the WTO aims to agree by consensus on the next director-general.
Okonjo-Iweala, 66, served as Nigeria’s first female Finance and Foreign minister, and has a 25-year career behind her as a development economist at the World Bank, eventually becoming its number two.
She is also on the Twitter board of directors and is a special envoy for the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 fight.
Yoo, 53, is currently serving as South Korea’s first female Trade Minister, following a career in trade diplomacy and foreign affairs.
Reacting to the news, Okonjo-Iweala tweeted, “Happy to be in the final round of the @wto DG campaign. Thanks, WTO members for your continued support of my candidacy. I could not have made it without the prayers and support of all Nigerians and friends around the world. Thank you @MBuhari and all my friends. Aluta continua!”
Yoo also tweeted, “Deeply grateful and honored to be selected for the final round in the selection process of the next @WTO Director General! We need a capable & experienced new leader who can rebuild trust and restore relevance of the @WTO. I look forward to your continued support! Thank you!!!”
