Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala set to become W.T.O.’s first woman head

For the first time a woman is set to lead the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  After a South Korean rival withdrew and the United States reversed its previous opposition , Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was poised to become the first African and first woman to lead the embattled World Trade Organization. President Joe Biden expressed its strong support for Okonjo-Iweala in a statement late Friday, lauding her experience at the World Bank and leading Nigeria's finance ministry, and pledging to work with her on needed reforms.

The twin developments ended months of uncertainty over the leadership of the global trade body, and cleared the way for WTO members to conclude a consensus-based process and confirm Okonjo-Iweala as the next WTO director-general.  Former President Donald Trump had blocked Okonjo-Iweala's candidacy after a WTO selection panel recommended her as chief in October. The decision required consensus. 

 Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, an economist and former finance minister of Nigeria, said she was looking forward to the conclusion of the race and moving forward with needed reforms.  "There is vital work ahead to do together," the former World Bank executive said in a statement. The Geneva-based watchdog has gone without a director-general since Brazil's Roberto Azevedo quit a year early in August and his replacement must contend with a Covid-induced recession, US-China tensions and rising protectionism.