Source: All Africa.Com
Notwithstanding the fact that the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has few real powers as executive head of a member-driven organization, it is one of the most coveted high-level international posts. With the incumbent, Pascal Lamy of France, expected to step down when his term of office expires at the end of August 2013, the contest to succeed him is underway.
Whoever gets the job has monumental challenges to address, in particular the stalemated Doha negotiations, which were intended to result in the introduction of lower trade barriers and revised trade rules but have been stymied by disagreements. While Lamy has a reputation for competence and hard work, he has not been able to conclude the round and leaves his successor with the difficult task of either completing or abandoning the negotiations and charting a new course for the organization.
Categories: Africa