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competitive electoral process that saw for arriving at a consensus behind a
8 candidates including Dr.Liam Fox of single candidate. And because of a
the United Kingdom, Mr. Mohammad lengthy impasse some 20 years ago
Al-Tawaijri and Ms Amina Mohamed between two candidates, the WTO
of Kenya. Other are Mr. Tudor members subsequently agreed on a set
Ulianovschi of Moldova, Mr. Abdel- of procedures for producing consensus
Namid Mamdouh and Dr. Jesus Seade to prevent that from happening again.
Kuri of Mexico.
Normally, the process begins
Both finalists are highly qualified, Ms approximately nine months before
Yoo Myung-hee being an international the end of a DG’s term, but this
trade specialist and a WTO insider, time Azevedo’s early departure has Robert Azevedo, former WTO,
while Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala having necessitated shortening the timeline Director General
exceptional political and diplomatic while keeping intact the various stages.
experience with her economic training The first step is for governments to
and subsequent career. GC chair, Ambassador David Walker
nominate candidates. Candidates of New Zealand. The other Troika
The WTO strives to fill the director cannot nominate themselves; only a members are DSB chair Ambassador
general position by consensus; that government can submit a name. In Decio Castillo of Honduras and TPRB
process that is facing headwinds this cycle, that process lasted for one chair Ambassador Harald Aspelund of
with the leading members pulling month and closed on July 8. Eight Iceland.
in deference directions, and many candidates were nominated (see below
other members divided. It had been for more details). This process is lengthy and
expected that a winner would be The second step is the campaign. cumbersome. There are 164 WTO
known before the U.S. presidential Candidates meet WTO ambassadors members, and each will have a private
election: this however, will not be the in Geneva and visit capitals to make meeting with the Troika, known as
case as the decision will come after the their case. Covid-19 has made this step “confessionals.” In these meetings
elections.
more difficult, but the WTO arranged the ambassadors are asked who their
While it is now not clear how WTO a week-long forum in Geneva in government favors for DG, and they are
members would decide to hold a vote, July at which each candidate had an expected to put forward several names,
given the new dynamics, the final opportunity to present his or her not just one. From these meetings, the
decision may rely more on a change of views to the ambassadors, respond Troika will conclude which five of the
U.S. president. The people in Geneva, to questions, and meet with them eight candidates have the best chance
who will be making the decision on privately. Some, if not all, have also of obtaining consensus.
9th, will determine whether we are found ways to visit with senior trade
going to plunge in another showdown officials in member governments. Those names will be announced, and
or not, particularly if Trump remains There have also been public and the three who do not make the cut are
in office. It is therefore significant that private events with stakeholders and expected to withdraw. Then the same
the decision was pushed down the other members of the public. process will be repeated, again with
road to, well after the US elections. all WTO members. Once completed,
The third step is a winnowing process.
The chairs of the three major WTO the Troika will announce which two
committees—the General Council of the remaining five, who are most
The Selection Process for the WTO likely to achieve consensus, again
Director-General (GC), the Dispute Settlement Body
(DSB), and the Trade Policy Review with the three not chosen expected
The WTO operates on the basis of Body (TPRB), known informally as the to withdraw. Finally, the process will
consensus. While votes are theoretically Troika—conduct private meetings with be repeated a third time, after which
possible, there has never been one on a each WTO member’s ambassador to the Troika will announce the name of
matter of importance. As a result, there find out their country’s preference for the single individual they believe most
is not an election per se, but a process DG. This time that process is led by the likely to achieve consensus.

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