Okonjo-Iweala Will Be The First Woman To Lead The World Trade Organization

Nigerian economist and development expert, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is set to make history as the first woman to become the Director-General of the World Trade Organization. The withdrawal of her rival, South Korean trade minister, Yoo Myung-hee on Friday, February 5, 2021, meant the coast became clear for the former Nigerian finance minister to head the post.

Okonjo-Iweala was supposed to have been announced as the head of the organization in November, 2020, after gaining huge support from the European Union and countries like China, Japan, Australia, and more. However, the selection standard of the WTO which states that a consensus candidate will head the organization meant that the decision of former US President, Donald Trump, to support Yoo, halted the selection process.

President Biden appears to support the Nigerian’s candidacy as he looks towards changing Trump’s foreign policy approach. Yoo revealed that her decision to withdraw comes after consultation with the US government.

Source

CNN

Featured Image Source: Financial Times