The new Director General of the World Trade Organization, NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA is expected to resume today amid hopes that she will spur the under-pressure body into addressing its towering challenges, including the pandemic-fueled global economic crisis.
The 66-year-old Nigerian former finance minister takes the helm after the WTO was left adrift for seven months following the sudden departure of Brazilian career diplomat ROBERTO AZEVEDO last August, a year ahead of schedule.
Following a lengthy selection process, development economist OKONJO-IWEALA, who spent 25 years at the World Bank, was finally anointed by the WTO’s 164 members on February 15.
From an initial eight candidates, she was the clear favorite among the last two standing in November but her appointment was delayed by former US president DONALD TRUMP.
Â
Â
