This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
Kenya's nomination of Amina Mohamed for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General position comes as the current Director-General, Roberto Azevêdo, prepares to step down on August 31, 2020.
According to the WTO's General Council Chair, David Walker, the nomination period closed on July 8, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta expressed confidence in Amina Mohamed's ability to secure broad support from countries worldwide, stating, 'Owing to her outstanding credentials, I do again strongly believe that Amb. Mohamed will enjoy broad support from countries across the world, with our pledge as Kenya not only to support her but to continue working closely with all countries on the African continent and across the globe to build consensus and a truly meaningful multilateral trade platform that every single country can benefit from.'
Amina Mohamed is the current President of the 14th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and has had previous engagements with the WTO, including serving as Chairperson of the Ministerial Conference, General Council, Dispute Settlement Body, and Trade Policy Review Body.
She holds an undergraduate and master's degree in law from Taras Shevchenko University in Ukraine and a postgraduate diploma in international relations from Oxford University.
Eight candidates, including Amina Mohamed, are vying for the WTO Director-General position, which comes with the challenge of steering the organization through intensifying global trade tensions and rising protectionism.
The WTO has never had a female Director-General, and the continent of Africa has three candidates vying for the position, with pressure building to choose a leader from the region.
The WTO's in-tray is full, with the organization set to resolve a series of disputes, including fishing subsidies, ahead of a biennial conference in 2021, and facing pressure to update global trading rules set 25 years ago.
The WTO promotes trade for the benefit of all countries, providing a unique forum for trade negotiations and the settlement of disputes among its members.
As the US prepares to draft an executive order that could trigger a US exit from the World Trade Organization's Government Procurement Agreement, the WTO faces a significant challenge in maintaining stability in global trade.
