WTO: We’ll ensure Okonjo- Iweala emerges victorious, says FG
The Federal Government has promised to engage other members of the World Trade Organisation to support the election of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director-General of the global body.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the former Managing Director of the World Bank had secured the support of the majority of the WTO members with only the United States opposing her.
It said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the third and final round of the selection process of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation was concluded on Tuesday, 27th October 2020 and the result was formally announced on Wednesday, 28th October, 2020.
“The candidate from Nigeria, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has secured the support of the majority of the member countries but is yet to be declared and returned the winner.
“This is because, apart from winning the election, all the 164 Member States of WTO were expected to adopt the winner by consensus in accordance with the rule of procedure of the WTO.
“It is important to highlight that Dr Okonjo-Iweala had secured cross-regional backing with only the United States opposing the consensus”.
It added that Nigeria would continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that the lofty aspiration of her candidate to lead the WTO was realized.