EU member states have thrown their weight behind two women candidates to lead the World Trade Organization, one from Nigeria and the other from South Korea, diplomats said on Monday.

European envoys gave their support to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former finance minister, and Yoo Myung-hee, South Korea’s trade chief, at a meeting in Brussels.

The long-expected endorsement was blocked until the last minute by Hungary, which had lent its support to Britain’s former trade minister Liam Fox and Amina Mohamed of Kenya.

The EU’s backing gives the two candidates a big boost, coming a day before an initial pool of eight candidates to replace Roberto Azevedo, who stepped down as the WTO director-general last month, is whittled down to two.

The choice of Okonjo-Iweala comes amid calls for an African to finally get a shot at running the organisation, which has counted three director-generals from Europe, and one each from Oceania, Asia and South America since its creation in 1995.

The WTO aims to select a winner in November, but some have expressed concern that political bickering could draw out the process.

The global trade body has faced relentless attacks from Washington, which has crippled the WTO dispute settlement appeal system and threatened to leave the organisation altogether.


A good one for Naija! keep the endorsement coming!!!

https://www.macaubusiness.com/eu-backs-nigerian-or-south-korean-for-wto-job/

Ok

My respect is very expensive so I give it out wisely but for this woman, I don't care I respect her scatter

I pray for Victory for Okonjo. Hopefully she represents us well and make a good name for Nigeria and Africa at large.

She is winning already. The replacement is a very good move

Good

I pray she wins.... gudluck in advance..



Thread Seen.....

The EU is backing NOI.
China is Nigeria's ally.
US is Nigeria's ally.
Ngozi might just be that truce candidate amongst the two elephants.

Stakeholders are of the view an African should have it this time around.

Declare Ngozi already!

Igbo Am aka.

A good product is always a good product.Madam Kemi Adeosun guess you're seeing something?

Let's wait for the final two later today....Goodluck NOI

God is with you

.