Okonjo-Iweala Remains Shoo-in as WTO Postpones DG Selection Process

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has postponed the selection process of a new director-general for the global trade body.
The postponement was announced on Friday.
According to a notice released by the trade body, David Walker, the chair of the WTO’s General Council, told members that the November 9 meeting scheduled to consider the appointment of the next DG has been postponed.
“The general council meeting scheduled for November 9 to consider the appointment of the next WTO director-general has been postponed,” the notice said.

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“Ambassador David Walker, the chair of the General Council, informed members of the decision on November 6.
“Walker said the meeting would be postponed until further notice, during which time he would continue undertaking consultations with delegations.”
A former Nigerian minister of finance and the nation’s candidate for the top job, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has earlier secured an overwhelming support from majority of the body’s members.
Last month, she was set to be named the next the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) but the United States opposed her candidature.

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In a subsequent media statement, the US said it picked South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee over Okonjo-Iweala because the WTO needs an official experienced in global trade.
Reports said Okonjo-Iweala secured the support of key member countries, including Japan, African Union, European Union, the Caribbean, and a majority in Latin America.
The WTO on Friday said it would announce its next line of action in due course.