GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – When she takes office on March 1 (2021), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will become the first woman and the first African to be chosen as Director-General for the World Trade Organization (WTO). Her four-year term is renewable and was prompted on May 14, 2020, when former Director-General Roberto Azevêdo announced his plan to resign from the position with one-year remaining in his term. The election comes at a precarious time for the WTO as one of its largest members, the United States, has not just called for major reform but has also blocked new members from being assigned to the Dispute Appellate Body, which rules on an appeal by a country that has lost a trade dispute with another member. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said her key priority would be to work with members to quickly address the economic and health consequences brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. She was elected with the support of the U.S. as well as a majority of other members.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)