WTO: Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment encounters new hurdle

 WTO: Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment encounters new hurdle

By Modupe Shodeinde

The confirmation of the Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the first African and first woman to head the World Trade Organisation could be delayed for at least another month due to the spread of Corona virus.

Bloomberg News reported that there has been a rapid spread of Covid-19 in Switzerland. The Geneva cantonal authorities on Sunday, announced strict new lockdown measures from November 2 until November 29.

Public and private events with more than five people will also be prohibited in the Swiss city.

This new hurdle could bring a further delay in the confirmation of Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment as the Director-General of the WTO.

According to Bloomberg, senior WTO officials are discussing whether to postpone their plan to make a formal decision on Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment at a general council meeting which was scheduled for November 9 at the WTO’s headquarters, Geneva.

However, Bloomberg reported that the WTO spokesman, Keith Rockwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Recall that Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment as the director-general, had been opposed by the Trump administration which declared it’s support for the South Korean Trade Minister, Yoo Mhung-hee.

This was despite the fact that the WTO selection committee determined she “clearly carried the largest support by members” and “clearly enjoyed broad support from members from all levels of development and from all geographic regions.”

The General Counsel had then postponed its appointment of the new Director-General until the the 9th of November, because traditionally, the WTO chooses its director general by consensus, with all 164 members having to approve a candidate.

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