WTO Shortlists Ngozi Okonjo Iweala for Final Stage

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and former Managing Director of the World Bank, has been shortlisted for the final five candidates for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) job.

The Geneva-based organisation said candidates like Mexico’s Jesus Seade, Egypt’s Hamid Mamdouh, and Moldova’s Tudor Ulianovschi did not secure sufficient support in a first of three rounds voting to proceed to the next stage.

The other candidates that moved to the next stage with Okonjo-Iweala, are Saudi Arabia’s former minister of economy and planning, Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri; UK’s former secretary of state for international trade, Liam Fox; South Korea’s trade minister, Yoo Myung-hee; and Kenya’s former international trade minister, Amina Chawahir Mohamed Jibril.

“Their expertise and high professional and personal qualities are highly valued and respected by all members,” David Walker, WTO’s General Council Chairman, stated in a statement released on Friday.

Walker from New Zealand and his two co-facilitators, Dacio Castillo of Honduras and Harald Aspelund of Iceland said they were impressed with the five candidates shortlisted.

“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,” Walker, who expressed his gratitude to all the candidates, including those who will not advance further, said.

“Members consider all the candidates highly qualified and respected individuals. I would also like to pay tribute to the dignified manner in which they, 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 Organisation 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 added.