WTO Job: Profile Of Candidates Competing With Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Eight candidates from different countries and continents have been nominated for the position of the next World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General.
The process began on 14 May, when Director -General Roberto Azevedo( Brazil) informed the 164 WTO members that he would be stepping down from his post on 31 August 2020.
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The WTO DG plays a managerial and advisory function as well as directs its organizational operations, for a tenure of four years.
As a global body, WTO helps define international economic relations, among others.
According to WTO, the nominees would between 15 and 17 July, convince members about their cutting edge advantage for the job.
” Candidates will meet with all WTO members to share their vision for the organization and take questions. This will take place from 15-17 July,” it tweeted.
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THE WHISTLER also learnt that three Africans, two Europeans, one North American and two Asians, have been shortlisted for selection for the next WTO Director General.
Below are the profile of the nominees:
JESUS SEADE KURI(MEXICO)
Jesús Seade Kuri (1946) is an economist, diplomat and politician, having worked in various capacities.
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Lately, he worked as Undersecretary for North America in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico.
He played a role in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in 2018.
As a diplomat, Ambassador Seade lived in Great Britain, Switzerland, USA, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China , France and Brazil, promoting International relations.
Furthermore, he worked with the World Bank, International Monetary Fund(IMF), handling issues of debt; as well as WTO, in which he served as Deputy Director General.
NGOZI OKONJO IWEALA (NIGERIA)
Nigeria’s Iweala (1954) is an international economist of global repute, occupying top positions in core global institutions as well as platforms.
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She is a board member of Standard Chartered Bank, Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), and the African Risk Capacity (ARC),among others.
Because of her expertise, she was appointed by the African Union (AU) and the World Health Organization(WHO) , as Special Envoy to Mobilise International Economic Support for Continental Fight Against COVID-19, among others.
She has played the role of a development expert for countries and has also spent over 20 years working with the World Bank, where she rose to the Number 2 position of Managing Director, Operations (2007-2011).
She also served two terms as Finance Minister of Nigeria and Coordinating Minister of the Economy (2003-2006, 2011-2015).
ABDEL HAMID MAMDOUH (EGYPT)
Mamdouh is a globally renown lawyer currently working for the American law firm King and Spalding, in Geneva.
As a visiting professor, the 67-year-old also lectures at the Centre for the Study of Commercial Law at Queen Mary University in London.
He worked as a diplomat for his country in Ethiopia and Australia, in the late 70s.
Furthermore, he has had a 20-year career in various capacities at WTO, particularly in the area of legal advice.
He later served as head of the Services and Investment Division(WTO).
TUDOR ULIANOVSCHI (MOLDOVA)
Ulianovschi, is a notable politician and diplomat, who worked as Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Moldova in 2018.
He served as an ambassador for the space of 15 years, in different countries in Africa, Latin America, India and Europe, promoting international politics and trade.
Based on his career exploits, he was enlisted a member of the WTO Government Procurement Agreement.
TOO MYUNG-HEE (SOUTH KOREA)
Myung-he(1943) is the daughter of Lee Byung-chul, founder of the multi-billion conglomerate, Samsung Group.
She is a gifted business magnate and the chairwoman of the Shinsegae Group.
Lee was said to have expanded the Shinsegae Group into the country’s second-largest retailer.
She was ranked 20th on Forbes 2017 list of 50 Richest Koreans.
AMINA C. MOHAMMED (KENYA)
Amina C. (born 5 October 1961) is a lawyer, diplomat and politician, and has made a lot of contribution to the development of Kenya.
She currently serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage and Culture in Kenya.
She was once the chairwoman of the International Organization for Migration and the World Trade Organization’s General Council.
Furthermore, she worked as Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme.
In Kenya’s Government, she served in other positions like the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Kenya( 2013 -2018), and later had a stint at the Education sector.
MOHAMMED MAZIAD AL-TUWAIJRI(SAUDI ARABIA)
According to Arab News, “Al-Tuwaijri was the Kingdom’s economy and planning minister from November 2017 till March 2020 when he was appointed as an Advisor to the Royal Court “
LIAM FOX (UNITED KINGDOM)
Fox (1961) is one of the notable politicians in the United Kingdom.
He worked as Secretary of State for International Trade( 2016 – 2019) and Secretary of State for Defence (2010 -2011).
He is also a strong member of the country’s Conservative Party and has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Somerset since 2010.
