Editor
THE Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has expressed concerns over the ongoing hush-hush regarding the potential for the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to resign from office.
A statement issued by PeacePro said it read with concern, the report of the possible resignation of Okonjo-Iweala by Bloomberg, a respected news medium.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBloomberg had reported that Dr Okonjo-Iweala has fully grasped the frustrating reality of the WTO’s historical inertia, seven months into her four-and-half-year term, and was privately floating the idea of resigning if no headway could be found on critical issues. The report claimed that the former World Bank executive and Nigeria’s former Finance Minister allegedly, repeatedly told ambassadors and staff of WTO that she could easily walk away from the job.
Recall that Okonjo-Iweala’s predecessor and immediate past Director-General of WTO, Roberto Azevedo had cited lack of progress at the organization as his primary reason for resigning a year before his tenure was scheduled to end. The news of the possible resignation of Okonjo-Iweala is, however, seen as a call for more support and cooperation among members of the organisation, especially ahead of the ministerial meeting coming up in November 2021.
The WTO has, since its establishment in 1995, contributed significantly to peacebuilding by amicably resolving several trade disputes that could have possibly escalated into a crisis.
Despite its persisting challenges, the organisation still has a tremendous capacity to weather the current storm and transform it for future opportunities, Peacepro said a statement made available to Prime Business Africa.
The Foundation called for global solidarity with the WTO as the organisation seeks to reposition itself and serve the world better.
“It is understood that the outcome of WTO ministerial meeting coming up in November will determine, to a great extent, the future of the organization and we are hopeful that the outcome of the meeting will be a defining moment for good.”
PeacePro said it believes in Okonjo-Iweala’s capacity to address concerns of members and restore their confidence in the mandate of the WTO, “and we call for renewed commitment, particularly from United States of America and its allies, who have in recent past, expressed grievances with the organisation, but whose cooperation will go a long way in helping WTO strengthen itself to serve the world better, including addressing all concerns raised by all other members of the organisation.”
