Crisis avoided: Yoo’s withdrawal signals the end of months of uncertainty about who will lead the WTO for at least the next four years. Yoo and Okonjo-Iweala were the last candidates from an initial field of eight and the first women to be seriously considered for the role. Roberto Azevêdo, from Brazil, left the position of director general in August, a year before the end of his term.
“It is particularly important to note that two highly qualified women have reached the final round of consideration for the post of Director-General of the WTO – the first time that a woman has reached this stage in the history of the institution,” reports the Office of the Trade Representative of the United States. USA, wrote Friday in an unassigned statement.
At the end of last month, the government signaled its support for the rapid installation of a new director general. President Joe Biden spoke with South Korean leader Moon Jae-in on Wednesday, although no country has indicated that the WTO’s position has been discussed.
About the leader: Okonjo-Iweala, who became a U.S. citizen in 2019, would be the first woman and the first African woman to lead the WTO. A trained economist, she spent most of her career at the World Bank, eventually occupying the second post of managing director of operations. She served twice as Nigeria’s finance minister.
“Dr. Okonjo-Iweala brings a wealth of knowledge in economics and international diplomacy from her 25 years at the World Bank and two terms as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance. She is widely respected for her effective leadership and has proven experience in managing a large international organization with a diverse membership, “wrote the USTR office in its statement.
Okonjo-Iweala tweeted Friday she was “grateful for the expression of support” from the United States and congratulated Yoo on a “hotly contested campaign”.
What is the next: The next WTO General Council meeting is scheduled for March 1 and 2, but a special session to appoint Okonjo-Iweala can now be called earlier.
Doug Palmer contributed to this report.