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| In this file photo taken on July 15, 2020, Nigerian former Foreign and Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala smiles during a press conference in Geneva, following her hearing before World Trade Organization (WTO) member states' representatives, as part of the application process to head the WTO as Director General. European Union members agreed on Oct. 26, 2020, to back the candidacy over Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee. AFP |
The European Union is backing former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to head the World Trade Organization, sending a signal of trust in Africa, an EU official said on Monday.
Okonjo-Iweala and South Korean trade minister Yoo Myung-hee are vying to be the first female leader in the WTO's 25-year history, replacing Brazilian Roberto Azevedo, who quit a year earlier than expected at the end of August.
The EU's support for Okonjo-Iweala is considered a strong signal to reinforce the multilateral order and a sign of mutual trust between the bloc and Africa, the official said.
The WTO faces dual challenges: criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration which froze its appeals body by blocking its appointment of judges, and worsening U.S.-China trade relations.
Okonjo-Iweala, 66, a previous Nigerian foreign minister, is an economist and development specialist serving as board chair of global vaccine alliance Gavi. She wants the WTO to help poorer countries access COVID-19 drugs and vaccines. (Reuters)
