WTO | African News Today

Okonjo-Iweala Accepts Apology from Swiss Newspaper over ‘grandmother’ Remarks

1Mar

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Africa, Economy, Trade, United Nations, Women Empowerment

Okonjo-Iweala Accepts Apology from Swiss Newspaper over ‘grandmother’ Remarks

The first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization on Monday welcomed an apology from a Swiss newspaper that had dismissed the seasoned international professional as a grandmother. “It is important & timely that they’ve apologised,” Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in a tweet. The development economist took over as the new WTO chief on Monday after a long, high-powered career serving as minister of finance and foreign affairs in her native Nigeria and 25 years at the World Bank. But when several Swiss newspapers announced her appointment last month, they decided the most noteworthy thing to mention about the new WTO chief was as a matriarch. “This grandmother will become the boss of the WTO,” read the headline of the article published by the Aargauer Zeitung and...

I Was Surprised Trump Opposed My Candidacy – Okonjo-Iweala

16Feb

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Economy, Finance, Interview, News, Nigeria, Trade, Women Empowerment

I Was Surprised Trump Opposed My Candidacy – Okonjo-Iweala

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's former Finance Minister, says she was surprised that President Donald Trump's administration could stand in her way of leading the World Trade Organisation (WTO). At a press briefing, the new Director-General of WTO said she did not see it coming. She said she felt she had a good understanding with the US government, which interviewed her about the job twice. "I think I was quite surprised when that came (opposition from Trump) because there was no indication that there was any problem with the US. "I had two good interviews with the authorities and with the administration, so it was a surprise. But that's the way life works. When things happen, you take them in your stride and you move on. "It was wonderful when the Biden/Harris administration b...

6Nov

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Breaking News, Communication, Economy, Finance, Nigeria, Trade, United States of America

WTO Postpones Meeting to Pick New DG

The World Trade Organisation on Friday postponed a meeting where members are expected to pick a new Director-General. The postponement is coming days after the United States declined to support the favored candidate, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The organization earlier announced that the meeting would hold next week but a communication sited by AFP showed that the meeting has been postponed indefinitely. “It has come to my attention that for reasons including the health situation and current events, delegations will not be in a position to take a formal decision on 9 November,” the head of the selection committee told member states. “I am therefore postponing this meeting until further notice during which period I will continue to undertake consultations with delegations,” he added....

WTO DG: Why We Oppose Okonjo-Iweala’s Nomination – US

29Oct

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, United States of America

WTO DG: Why We Oppose Okonjo-Iweala’s Nomination – US

The United States has explained its stance not to back Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General position, noting the position must be held by ‘someone with real, hands-on experience in the field’. The US instead has thrown its weight behind South Korea’s Yoo Myung-Hee to head the WTO. Okonjo-Iweala who is Nigeria’s former Finance Minister is currently in poll position to secure the job after the WTO nominations committee on Wednesday recommended her to its 164 member countries for appointment into the top spot. Explaining its position, office of the US Trade Representative which advises President Donald Trump on trade policy in a statement said Yoo had distinguished herself as a trade expert and has all the necessary skills to be an eff...