WTO Cancels Meeting Aimed at Breaking Leadership Impasse
Geneva The World Trade Organization has cancelled a meeting on November 9 to decide on the appointment of Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the body's next director general after the US rejected her as a candidate.
Trade sources said they thought a factor in the delay was that there had been no indication the Trump administration - which will continue to govern trade policy in the weeks ahead, irrespective of any US election result - had switched its support to Okonjo-Iweala.
A WTO document seen by Reuters said: "For reasons including the health situation and current events, delegations will not be in a position to take a formal decision on 9th November." It said it had been postponed until further notice.
In addition to the impasse over the leadership, Geneva, home to the WTO, implemented COVID restrictions this week including a five-person cap on in-person meetings, although the organisation has held many meetings virtually.
The WTO later confirmed the decision on its website, saying consultations would continue. The body usually chooses its new leader by consensus, with trade sources saying they would be reluctant to resort to a vote.
Also read: In WTO's Search for its Next Director-General, a Tale of Proxy Wars and Regional Rivalries
A high-powered WTO panel last month recommended Okonjo-Iweala, a former finance minister, to lead the global trade watchdog, setting her up to become its first African and first woman head.
However, the US-backed South Korean candidate, Yoo Myung-hee, has not withdrawn from the race, despite mounting diplomatic pressure. There was no immediate comment from the US Trade Representative's office.
The US President Donald Trump has frequently criticised the WTO, calling it "horrible" and biased towards China. His administration has already blocked judge appointments, disabling its top appeals panel last year.
Okonjo-Iweala, currently chairing the GAVI vaccine alliance board, has vowed "positivity all the way" on her Twitter feed. "Dr. Ngozi is very grateful for the WTO's support and she's ready to get to work as soon as possible," her spokeswoman Molly Toomey said.
The Geneva-based body has been run by four deputies since Brazil's Roberto Azevedo stepped down a year early in August.
(Reuters)
This article went live on November seventh, two thousand twenty, at twenty-one minutes past four in the afternoon.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
