Appointments

WTO boss: Coast clear for Okonjo-Iweala as South Korea withdraws candidate

South Korea has decided to withdraw its candidate from the World Trade Organisation, WTO, director-general race, according to Washington Trade Daily. Yoo Myung-hee is South Korea’s Trade Minister and its candidate for the top job at the WTO following the resignation of Roberto Azevedo.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s candidate in the WTO race, had secured the popular vote by a wide margin on October 28 but was not named DG because the US opposed her candidacy. The two women are the last candidates standing  and the eventual winner will set a record as being the first female WTO DG.

Read:  Okonjo-Iweala named first female WTO boss.

However, there are speculations that the US might change its stance following Donald Trump’s failure to get re-elected as president. After the October 28 meeting, WTO also said Okonjo-Iweala had the best chance of getting a consensus. Washington Trade Daily quotes sources as saying South Korea has notified the US of its decision and is expected to make it public “in the coming days.”

Read:  IWEC Foundation appoints Awosika as new Board President

“Washington refused to accept the recommendation made by the selection panel chaired by General Council Chair Amb. David Walker that Okonjo-Iweala is the candidate most likely of the two to attract consensus because she clearly carried the largest support by members in the final round and clearly enjoyed broad support from members from all  geographic regions and has done so throughout the process.

Read:  Ganiyu Musa becomes ECOWAS scheme’s council chairman.

“Yoo from Korea failed to receive enough support from members of all levels of development -1e., the developed, developing and least developing countries, as well as geographically in comparison to the largest support received by Ms Okonjo-Iweala”  the report read. The November 8 general council meeting scheduled to consider the appointment of the next DG was also postponed. Another general council meeting has been scheduled for December 17.

vanguardngr

Related posts

Ogenna Walter Ekwubiri Bags African Development Ambassador Award.

NigGal

Julia Oparah Appointed Provost Of University Of San Francisco.

NigGal

Achebe’s daughter, Nwando, named US Educ Council Fellow.

NigGal

World Meteorological Agency elects Nigerian Meteorological Agency as member

NigGal

Olufemi Badejo Appointed as Trade and Investment Commissioner of Vanuatu in Nigeria.

NigGal

Cohbams Asuquo becomes UNICEF’s ambassador.

NigGal

Leave a Comment