Nigerian candidate Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is contesting for the post of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has scaled through to the second stage of the selection process.
The international body disclosed that the five candidates were chosen from eight others after due consultations. The five candidates will now move on for members’ further consideration in the next round of consultations which resume on 24 September.
The body explained that the WTO members indicated that the five candidates who should advance are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria, Yoo Myung-hee of the Republic of Korea, Amina C. Mohamed of Kenya, Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Liam Fox of the United Kingdom.
General Council Chair David Walker of New Zealand said WTO membership considers all the five candidates highly qualified and respected individuals.
Walker adds that the second phase of consultations will begin on September 24 and run until October 6. During this time, members will be asked in the confidential consultations to express two preferences to the facilitators with an eye to bringing the number of candidates from five to two.
The ultimate objective of this measured and clearly defined process is to secure a consensus decision by members on the next Director-General.
Okonjo-Iweala who was Nigeria’s former minister of finance and also a former Managing Director of the World Bank has the support of her country.
