Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by fergie001: 3:11am On Jan 23, 2021 |
A cross-section of former senior U.S. government officials, including a Nobel Laureate, along with academicians and civil society leaders, have written to President Biden in support of the election of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Opposition from the Trump administration has stalled her selection which requires consensus according to WTO procedures. Here is the text of the letter that was delivered after Biden took office on January 20.
Dear President Biden,
Congratulations on your resounding victory in the recent election. We are confident that as you assume the mantle of responsibility for America’s security, economy and overall well-being that promising days are ahead for our country and specifically for all Americans.
You assume the Presidency with challenges and opportunities of historic proportions. We are pleased, however, that you have long been tested, prepared and poised for this moment. We are further comforted that you have selected a very competent team to support your cherished vision for our nation.
Among the many critical matters before you and your cabinet is the leadership of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It was no surprise to us that a stellar Nigerian-American, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, emerged as the consensus candidate for the position of Director-General of the WTO having won the support of the overwhelming majority of member nations, including America’s leading trading partners in the European Union.
The arbitrary opposition to her candidacy from the outgoing Trump Administration in October 2020 continues to baffle trade leaders and experts around the world. In round after round of competition, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala won against her competitor for the post, South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee.
The Trump Administration’s contentious practice of pitting America against multilateral alliances was in full display in this WTO race.
We write to respectfully encourage you to support the candidacy of the eminently qualified Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as she seeks to become the next Director-General of the WTO.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is a dynamic woman of vision who can guide the WTO through its era of reform. She possesses a very rare combination of leadership and experience that is deeply grounded in international trade, finance, economics and diplomacy. Her selection, as the first American and woman of color to serve as the WTO’s director-general will send a clear message of inclusion to the rest of the world.
Her specific qualifications:
As an economist with degrees from both Harvard University and MIT, she has been sure-footed throughout her career in articulating a compelling, nuanced vision for the future of global trade in goods and services and the institutions that support it.
She is a consummate diplomat seasoned in building coalitions. For example, she helped negotiate a politically delicate multilateral replenishment — on the order of $49 billion — for the International Development Association, the World Bank’s lending arm for the poorest nations.
As a dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria, she has established herself as a highly respected authority in both nations, especially on issues related to global development. During her meteoric rise through the World Bank ranks to the position of Managing Director, she gained invaluable experience in managing the complex relationships between development issues, institutions, business interests and measurable outcomes.
This experience, together with her recently completed five-year tenure as board chair of GAVI— the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization— perfectly position her to help build pragmatic solutions for pandemic-related trade and intellectual property challenges across diverse global stakeholders.
She served two terms as finance and coordinating minister of the economy of Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy. In those roles, she was a reformer who led the effort to create a long-term macroeconomic stability fund from the nation’s oil revenues, and to ensure that bilateral debt restructuring was tied to internal economic reforms. Thus, she knows well how to take on entrenched interests.
We know Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and have found her to be a woman of integrity, an honest broker and a pragmatist who consistently delivers results. We believe strongly that she can be a transformative director-general, one who -- with your support -- will be embraced and effective within and beyond the WTO.
In sum, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a uniquely qualified leader poised to help the WTO evolve and succeed for future generations. She is a leader who can also be relied on to pay due attention to the concerns many Americans have about global trade. She has what it takes to lead WTO reforms and take the organization into the future.
We deeply appreciate any consideration you may provide to her candidacy which is critically important for our nation and the world.
Former Senior U.S. Government Officials & Leaders in Academia, Civil Society and The Private Sector
The Hon. Mimi Alemayehou Former Executive Vice President, U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Former U.S. Executive Director of the African Development Bank
Ambassador Johnnie Carson Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Affairs Former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Uganda
Teresa Clarke Chairman and CEO, Africa.com
Ambassador Herman J. "Hank" Cohen Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs President & CEO, Cohen and Woods International
Akunna Cook Former U.S. Foreign Service Officer Founder and Principal, Drake Road Strategies
John G. Coumantaros Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria Chairman CEO of Southern Star Shipping Co Inc (New York) Founding Member of US Nigeria Council
Ambassador Ruth Davis Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Benin Former Director, U.S. Foreign Service Institute Former Director General, U.S. Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources
The Hon. Vivian Lowery Derryck Former Deputy Assistant Secretary (EEO and Civil Rights), U.S. Department of State Founder of the Bridges Institute Former Assistant Administrator for Africa, USAID
The Hon. Lauri Fitz-Pegado Former Assistant Secretary Director General, U.S. Foreign Commercial Service
Melvin Foote President & CEO, Constituency for Africa
The Hon. Tony Fratto Former Assistant Secretary, U.S. Treasury Former White House Deputy Press Secretary Managing Partner Hamilton Place Strategies
Ambassador Jendayi Frazer Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of African Affairs Former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Former Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council President & CEO, 50 Ventures LLC
Ambassador Michelle D. Gavin Former U.S. Ambassador to Botswana Former Senior Director for Africa, National Security Council
Dr. Gloria Herndon Former Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State Chair Corporate Board, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) CEO, GB Group
Cameron Hudson Former Director, African Affairs, National Security Council Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council Africa Center
Ambassador Makila James (ret.) Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, East Africa and The Sudans, U.S. Department of State Former U.S. Ambassador to The Kingdom of Swaziland
Ambassador (ret.) Howard F. Jeter Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and Botswana Former Special Presidential Envoy to Liberia
Jeffrey Krilla Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
Florie Liser Former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa President and CEO of Corporate Council on Africa (CCA)
Clay Lowery Former Assistant Secretary, U.S. Treasury Former Director, International Finance, National Security Council
Ambassador (ret.) Terence P. McCulley Former U.S. Ambassador to Mali, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire Chairman, US-Nigeria Council for Food Security, Trade and Investment
Mora McLean President Emerita, Historian, and Program Strategist, The Africa-America Institute Former Chair, USTR Trade Advisory Committee on Africa
Cheryl Mills Former Counselor and Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of State Former Deputy Counsel to the President, The White House
Todd Moss, PhD Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
Ambassador John Negroponte First Director, National Intelligence Former Ambassador to the United Nations Former Deputy Secretary of State
The Hon. Constance Berry Newman Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Chair of the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network
Thomas R. Nides Former Chief of Staff, Office of the United States Trade Representative Former Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, U.S. Department of State Vice Chairman, Morgan Stanley
Bernadette Paolo Former Staff Director, U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa Co-founder & Former CEO, The Africa Society
Bobby J. Pittman Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Finance and Debt, U.S. Department of Treasury Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council, White House
Pearl Robinson Associate Professor, Tufts University Past President, The African Studies Association
Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Former U.S. Ambassador to ECOWAS Former U.S. Ambassador to Republic of Congo Former Africa Director, National Security Council CEO-FEEEDS
Jeannine B. Scott Chairman, Constituency for Africa (CFA) Principal, America to Africa Consulting (A2A) Former Alternate & Advisor to the U.S. ED at the African Development Bank
Timothy Shortley Former Director, African Affairs, National Security Council Chief Operating Officer, 50 Ventures, LLC
Ambassador John Simon Former Senior Director, National Security Council Former U.S. Ambassador to the African Union Managing Partner, Total Impact Capital Member, USTR Trade Advisory Committee for Africa
The Hon. Gayle Smith Former Administrator, USAID Former Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council
Joseph E. Stiglitz Former member and Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers University Professor, Columbia University Chief Economist, Roosevelt Institute Former Chief Economist of the World Bank Recipient of Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics, 2001
Rosa Whitaker Former Assistant United States Trade Representative for Africa President, The Whitaker Group [url= https://allafrica.com/stories/202101220055.html]SOURCE [/quote] 51 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Maxymilliano(m): 3:35am On Jan 23, 2021 |
We write to respectfully encourage you to support the candidacy of the eminently qualified Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as she seeks to become the next Director-General of the WTO.
Okonjo Iweala can get the plum positiy on the strength of her candidacy and experience, moreover, it's still early in the day for the new US President to get distracted with who become the next DG of the WTO. 6 Likes |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Olominira(m): 4:07am On Jan 23, 2021 |
She's going to lead WTO, one of the best from African soil. 52 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by richmond500: 5:17am On Jan 23, 2021 |
fine woman 7 Likes |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Racoon(m): 5:31am On Jan 23, 2021 |
A good product is always a good product.Madam NOI is a good product.Favour with your track records will continue to speak for you.Keep on excelling ma.Ndi Chineke goziri na gozie. 23 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Alejobs: 5:41am On Jan 23, 2021 |
it is a crime to be weak....so people begging on our behalf. Her loyalty will definitely be towards..... . I have laptop powerbank for sale. Student room inverter too. I wish her an outstanding success....king pass king! |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by BOOOMNAIJA: 5:42am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Without sounding less patriotic tho, wat is d brouhaha all about for this woman....if she couldn't singlehandedly turn around Nigeria's economy during her tenure as finance minister, I wonder wat she would do differently to influence d world's economy....just my thoughts tho. 4 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by NaijaFutbol: 5:42am On Jan 23, 2021 |
1 Like |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by focus7: 5:43am On Jan 23, 2021 |
This one now is another good benefit of Biden winning the presidency.
Trump government was an absolute anty African especially Nigeria. I don't know how some people from Nigeria find exitment to support Trump especially our blodas from the east to the point of holding prayer section in the church and marching for Trump to win. Somebody who hate anything black, Nigeria or African.
Congratulations Biden
Congratulations America
Congratulations Okonjo Iweala
Congratulations Nigeria
Congratulations Africa 17 Likes 1 Share |
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Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by 9jaBloke: 5:44am On Jan 23, 2021 |
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Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by exsodus: 5:45am On Jan 23, 2021 |
See the caliber of people Nigeria has and yet We still wallow in economy crisis. 4 Likes |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Nobody: 5:45am On Jan 23, 2021 |
So |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Starcrest1: 5:46am On Jan 23, 2021 |
A breath of fresh air is here. Trump was a malodor that was lingering for too long. Why some uninformed Nigerians were supporting him still leaves me in a state of afulagafua.
This is brilliant....... 16 Likes |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by SmartPolician: 5:48am On Jan 23, 2021 |
We have been on this for months just because one country refused to back her candidature. Indeed, it's good to come from a powerful country. 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Dovegrey: 5:48am On Jan 23, 2021 |
i don't know why god love igbo people like this 4 Likes |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Giftedprof: 5:50am On Jan 23, 2021 |
The indicators are glaring already that she will be new "madam" 2 Likes |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by SmartPolician: 5:50am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Dovegrey: i don't know why god love igbo people like this Mumu, don't tribalize it They just want a competent, popular and experienced person to be there. 11 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Coolpro63: 5:54am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Ok |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Dovegrey: 5:54am On Jan 23, 2021 |
SmartPolician:
Mumu, don't tribalize it
They just want a competent, popular and experienced person to be there. Bro don't let envy kill you 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by SmartPolician: 5:56am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Dovegrey:
Bro don't let envy kill you How old are you? 6 Likes |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Enudapan: 5:56am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Nah eh! No qualms This is so unsophisticated
Nogzi our lovely woman |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by abumeinben(m): 5:57am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Man! See references. Sincerely, I don't see her match yet. It's one thing to excel in an already blossoming economy. I give that to the Korean lady - Myuong-hee. But it's another to restructure a civil war torn, militarily governed economy of corruption political uncertainties from its state of stuttering to that of an expressiveness by making Nigeria the largest economy in Africa. In conjunction with Charles Soludo, we know how they crushed dollar from 160 to 120. Common man! Who deserves this better? The US sadists have been "femmed", according to Davido emkz:
My brother, I have two questions please: what mechanisms did Soludo use to crash the dollar?
And how does crashing the dollar translate to economic growth? I just want to learn. I'm not an economist bros. But the relevance of the Naira is relative to the value of the Dollar. What that means? I could import a $10k car for 1.2m. Now I do it for 4.9m. This is my best understanding of economics. For more info, enrol in a 2 year course on economics. 6 Likes |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Loveheals01(m): 5:59am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Great move |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by crossfm: 6:00am On Jan 23, 2021 |
That is the right way to start.
He should outrightly do the needful. |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by 9jaBloke: 6:03am On Jan 23, 2021 |
SmartPolician: We have been on this for months just because one country refused to back her candidature. Indeed, it's good to come from a powerful country. US will support her eventually |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by 9jaBloke: 6:04am On Jan 23, 2021 |
SmartPolician:
Mumu, don't tribalize it
They just want a competent, popular and experienced person to be there. Trump's US was not strong on competence and experience |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by Obrigardo: 6:05am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Will the electors from Umudike agree to this? 1 Like |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by PoliteActivist: 6:10am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Biden will never read this - Biden that's only looking forward to his nap 2 Likes |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by talk2hb1(m): 6:10am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Good |
Re: Former U.S. Officials urge Biden to Back WTO's selection of Okonjo-Iweala by ecomalchemist(m): 6:13am On Jan 23, 2021 |
It's evident that Ngozi knows her onions and she'd do a fantastic job.
I don't know why the present administration won't consult her to rescusitate the ailing economy.
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