THUR, OCT 08 2020-theG&BJournal- ‘’General Council Chair Amb. David Walker told a Heads of Delegation meeting on Thursday that the two candidates who secured the broadest and deepest support from the membership and who should subsequently advance to the final round to be the next Director-General are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria and Yoo Myung-hee of the Republic of Korea,’’ the WTO said today after members narrowed the field of candidates to be the next Director-General.
The WTO said, ‘’the result creates an historic precedent for the WTO in that it assures that the 7th Director-General will become the first woman to lead the organization. These two candidates were chosen from a field of five that had advanced to the second round of consultations.’’
As the members move to the final round of consultations, Amb. Walker emphasized, as he has at every stage, that the ultimate objective of this measured and clearly defined selection process is to secure a consensus decision by members on the next Director-General.
“Our aim continues to be to encourage and facilitate the building of consensus among members, and to assist in moving from this final slate of two candidates to a decision on appointment. As this is the final round of the consultation process, it should bring us to the point where we can make a recommendation to the General Council concerning that decision,” Amb. Walker added.
The General Council is the highest decision-making body of the WTO apart from the Ministerial Conference which meets every two years.
“As was the case for the first round, the entire membership remained fully engaged in and committed to this process. The facilitators and I are grateful for this very positive response. It is clear that all members attach great importance to this process,” Amb. Walker said.
The General Council Chair had warm words for those candidates who will not be progressing to the third round.
“On behalf of the entire membership, I would like to express deep gratitude for their participation in this selection process. It was clear that members consider them individuals of outstanding qualifications. I am sure you will all agree with us that in participating in the selection process, the candidates have all made a significant contribution to the standing and image of the WTO,” Amb. Walker said.
During the confidential consultations Amb. Walker of New Zealand, Amb. Castillo, chair of the Dispute Settlement Body, and Amb. Aspelund, chair of the Trade Policy Review Body, posed to each delegation a single question: “What are your preferences?” Members then submitted two preferences to the “troika” of ambassadors.
Amb. Walker said the third phase of consultations will commence on 19 October and run until 27 Octoberto afford members sufficient time to prepare their positions. Another factor in waiting a week for stage three to begin is the busy calendar of meetings next week, including a scheduled two-day session of the General Council, which Amb. Walker will chair.
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