Nigerian Government Vows To Ensure Okonjo-Iweala Emerges DG Of World Trade Organization

Nigerian Government has vowed to ensure the emergence of its former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

This was conatined in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Nwonye, on Thursday, October 29, 2020.

The ministry said “Nigeria will continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that the lofty aspiration of her candidate to lead the World Trade Organisation is realised”.

It noted that the United States is the only country opposing the emergence of Okonjo-Iweala as the DG WTO after she secured the support of the majority of the member countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the third and final round of the selection process of the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was concluded on Tuesday, 27th October 2020 and the result was formally announced on Wednesday, 28th October 2020.

“The candidate from Nigeria, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has secured the support of majority of the member countries but is yet to be declared and returned the winner.

“This is because apart from winning the election, all the 164 Member States of WTO were expected to adopt the winner by consensus, in accordance with the rule of procedure of the WTO.

“It is important to highlight that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has secured cross-regional backing with only the United States opposing the consensus.

“The Ministry wishes to further inform that a meeting of the General Council of the WTO has been scheduled for November 9, 2020, for the final decision on the election process.

“Nigeria will continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that the lofty aspiration of her candidate to lead the World Trade Organization is realised,” the statement reads.

KanyiDaily had reported how the United States is blocking Okonjo-Iweala from becoming the DG of the World Trade Organisation after polling 104 votes from 164 member countries to defeat South Korea’s Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee on Wednesday, October 28, 2020.

[IRP]