1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i Selecting a New WTO Director-General: Implications for the Global Trading System Updated February 18, 2021 The United States and members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have selected new leadership for the WTO Secret
2、ariat, following Director-General (DG) Roberto Azevdos unexpected early resignation in August 2020. On February 15, 2021, WTO members agreed by consensus on the appointment of Nigerias Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a historic decision as the first woman and first African DG. The appointment comes after prolo
3、nged delay, due to the Trump Administrations opposition. In October 2020, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and South Koreas Yoo Myung-hee advanced as the top of eight candidates, with the broadest support from the membership. After intensive consultations, the selection committee announced Okonjo-Iweala as the c
4、andidate most likely to attract the required consensus of all 164 WTO members, recommending her as the next DG. The United States was the only country that refused to back Okonjo-Iweala, who holds dual U.S. citizenship. The Trump Administration response was met with critical reception by numerous ob