Former Nigerian Minister of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala has emerged the sole candidate to head the World Trade Organisation, WTO, following the withdrawal of South Korean candidate, Yoo Myung-hee Bloomberg reports Friday.
A statement from Korea’s trade ministry on Friday say Yoo reached the decision after discussions with the United States and other major nations, and took various issues into account “comprehensively” including the need to revitalize the multilateral organisation.
The development comes after dozens of former US government officials urged President Joe Biden to endorse Okonjo-Iweala after the Trump administration blocked her selection. The opposition halted the selection process because WTO decisions are made on the basis of a consensus of its members.
Okonjo-Iweala had expressed optimism that she would become the first African and first female director-general in the 25-year history of the WTO despite ‘hiccups’.
The 66-year-old serves on Twitter’s board of directors, as chair of the GAVI vaccine alliance as well as a special envoy for the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 fight.