here are strong indications that the steering group of the parliamentary conference on the WTO tasked by members of the European Parliament of the organisation to screen the two finalists for the WTO DG job has recommended Africa’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the European Union to support.
This recommendation is captured in a communique released by the steering group after it had a joint hearing with the two finalists for the top job on Monday, October 19, 2020.
In the document dated 21.10.2020 and referenced D 103043, the body acknowledges that whilst both candidates interviewed are “extremely experienced, well qualified and knowledgeable”, the group has decided to rook for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
An excerpt from the communique reads: “We appreciated, in particular, the vision that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala presented in tackling the substantial challenges the organisation is facing. Her assessment of the existing problems of the organisation reveals a deep understanding of the fault lines dividing the WTO’s membership.”
Going further, the body says, “The priorities she set up for her first steps after being appointed for the position reveal a clear-eyed agenda, tackling head-on key topics such as special and differential treatment, industrial subsidies and dispute settlement reform, while recognising the need for positive momentum through the conclusion of agreements on such issues as fisheries, e-commerce and health.”
In conclusion, the group says, “We also appreciated the energy with which she is likely to approach her new role. It appears to us that her political approach is what is needed now to address the key questions at the organisation, which are not managerial but require high-level political agreement between key global decision-makers. Dr Okonjo-Iweala appears to be well equipped for being the fair broker who could bring key players together and help them find the compromises that will be needed to resolve the WTO’s complex set of challenges and the deep disagreements between its members.”
