This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
Published on July 9, 2020, Kenya has nominated Sports CS Amb. Amina Mohamed for the position of World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General.
Amb. Amina will face stiff competition from five other candidates, including two Africans: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria and Mr. Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh of Egypt.
The other contenders for the prestigious post are Mr. Jesús Seade Kuri of Mexico, Mr. Tudor Ulianovschi of Moldova, and Ms. Yoo Myung-hee of the Republic of Korea.
The WTO Director-General is appointed through consensus among member states, requiring contestants to engage in intensive lobbying for the position.
According to WTO rules, the appointment process takes several months and concludes with a meeting of the General Council, convened not later than three months prior to the expiry of an incumbent's term.
The Director-General serves a four-year term and is eligible for reappointment for another term not exceeding four years.
Amb. Amina has a wealth of experience in international relations, having previously served as Chairperson of all WTO's highest decision-making bodies, including the Ministerial Conference (2015), the General Council (2005), the Dispute Settlement Body (2004), and the Trade Policy Review Body (2004).
