By Audrey Lotechukwu
SAT, 07 NOV, 2020-theGBJournal- The General Council, the WTO’s highest-level decision-making body in Geneva, Friday postponed meeting earlier scheduled for 9 November to consider the appointment of the next WTO Director-General.
WTO in statement said Ambassador David Walker, the chair of the General Council, informed members of the decision on 6 November (Friday). Amb. Walker said the meeting would be postponed until further notice, during which time he would continue undertaking consultations with delegations.
The leading candidate for the top job at the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala indicated Friday also that the World Trade body has taken step in formerly recording her leading position as most likely to attract consensus for the WTO DG.
‘’Every step is important. Look forward to further progress at the appropriate time,’’ she wrote on her twitter handle.
General Council Chair David Walker of New Zealand and his two co-facilitators in the selection process on October 28, 2020 told the organization’s members that based on their consultations with all delegations the candidate best poised to attain consensus and become the 7th Director-General was Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria.
But the assessment was challenged by the United States which said it would continue to support Minister Yoo Myung-hee and could not back the candidacy of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, effectively slowing Dr Okonjo Iweala’s momentum.
The postponement of the 9 November meeting indicates that members are still faced with the daunting task of reaching a consensus on a candidate.
The South African President and African Union (AU) chairperson have all weighed in on the side of Dr Okonjo-Iweala, including Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari.
The AU Chairperson on Thursday released a statement in which he expressed hope that ‘’nothing will stand in the way of the WTO making the right decision for the organisation.’’
‘’At a time when the credibility of the WTO is sorely tested, it is important that the organisation honours its own rules and procedures,’’ he said. ‘’The African Union reiterates its full support for Dr Okonjo-Iweala.’’
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