Contenders begin race for WTO top job

The race for the top position at the World Trade Organization (WTO) is heating up as eight candidates, including three from Africa, vie for the prestigious role. Trudi Hartzenberg, Executive Director of the Trade Law Centre, believes that all candidates stand a fair chance and are well-qualified for the position. The African candidates, in particular, have distinct profiles that could attract support from different parts of the WTO's 164-member state body. The presence of three African candidates is a significant milestone for the continent, although a unified backing from the African Union for a single candidate has not materialized. The diversity in profiles among the African candidates may actually work in their favor, as each candidate can appeal to different segments of the membership. Hartzenberg emphasizes the importance of monitoring the post-nomination developments closely, especially in terms of major players like the United States, European countries, and China expressing their support. The lack of a woman director-general at the WTO is also a notable point, and Hartzenberg expresses hope that one of the two women candidates from Africa will successfully navigate the selection process. The decision-making process at the WTO is driven by consensus among member states, making it challenging to reach agreements. Given the current U.S. administration and trade dynamics, the support for a candidate may be influenced by bilateral relationships, as seen in the growing ties between the U.S. and Kenya through trade negotiations. As the selection process unfolds, member states will engage with the candidates over the coming weeks to assess their suitability for the role. The period following the general council meeting will be crucial, with the chairs of key WTO bodies playing a pivotal role in gauging support for each candidate. The discussions will intensify as the WTO membership seeks to find a consensus on the next director-general, with even the smallest countries having a significant role in the decision-making process. In the midst of global trade tensions and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the selection of the next WTO director-general carries immense importance. The successful candidate will need to navigate complex trade negotiations, foster cooperation among member states, and address pressing issues such as reforming the dispute settlement mechanism and advancing multilateral trade agreements. As the contenders gear up for the upcoming rounds of discussions and engagements, all eyes will be on the African candidates as they strive to make history by securing the top job at the WTO.