BEVERLY HILLS, October 5, (THEWILL) – The European Union (EU) has pledged support for Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and South Korea’s Trade Chief, Yoo Myung-hee to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The EU governments on Monday in Brussels endorsed the two candidates as plans to shortlist two finalists after October 6 and name a winner by November 7 are underway.
Meanwhile, the East African Community (EAC) yesterday endorsed the candidature of Kenya’s former Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Amina Mohamed to the WTO. The endorsement was announced by Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Vincent Biruta
Biruta, who chairs the EAC Council of Ministers, said “reference is made to the favourable responses received from all states of the East African Community on the request to support the candidature of the Republic of Kenya as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. I would like to inform you that Ambassador Amina C Mohamed is endorsed as the candidature of the East African Community to the post of the DG”, Biruta wrote to counterparts in Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan.
Five candidates are still in the race for the DG.. The five contenders are Mr Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri of Saudi Arabia, Dr Liam Fox of the United Kingdom, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Yoo Myung-hee and Amina Mohamed.
The DG is chosen by consensus of its 164 member states, based on recommendation of the selection Committee.
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