In the final round of the election of the next secretary-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yu Myung-hee and Nigerian Candidate Okonzo-Iwella were side by side.
Ahead of the official announcement by the WTO Secretariat on the 8th (local time), AFP and Bloomberg News reported the results of the second round of elections, citing sources.
As two female candidates have risen, whoever becomes the first female secretary-general in the 25-year history of the WTO.
It is difficult to predict who will go through the last gateway.
Both candidates are in the final stage, beating the remaining six competing candidates, including the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya.
However, their strengths are different.
Director Yoo is a trade expert who has been walking'normally alone' for 25 years.
It seems to be able to appeal to member states that he is an'incumbent' trade minister with extensive experience and expertise.
Korea's increased status in the process of responding to the Corona 19 incident, such as K-Defense, and the full support of Director Yoo at the level of the government are also expected to be of strength.
On the other hand, Okonzo-Iwella is the first woman in Nigeria to serve as Finance Minister (2003-2006, 2011-2015) and Foreign Minister (2006) twice.
I have no experience in the field, but my political power is my strength.
He moved to the United States from Nigeria in the 1970s, where he studied economics at Harvard University and received a Ph.D. in Regional Economic Development from MIT Graduate School.
Having worked at the World Bank for 25 years, it is highly recognized on the international stage.
In 2012, when he was the finance minister, he also competed fiercely until the last minute for the post of President Kim Yong and former World Bank President.
As Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Global Vaccine Immunity Association (GAVI), he made a mark on member countries with his active actions amid the corona 19 crisis.
As the former WTO secretary-general did not have African origins, there is a possibility that the African votes will mobilize toward Candidate Okonzo-Iwella.
Looking at the 164 WTO member states by region, Africa is the largest with 40 countries, followed by the European Union (EU), Asia, and the Americas.
Former secretary generals ▲ 1st 1993-95 Peter Sutherland (Ireland) ▲ 2nd 1995-99 Renato Luziero (Italy) ▲ 3rd 1999-2002 Mike Moore (New Zealand) ▲ 4th 2002-05 Supachai Panitchpakdi (Thailand) ) ▲ 5-6 generations 2005-13 Pascal Lamy (France) ▲ 7-8 generations 2013-present Roberto Azevedo (Brazil).
It is known that the WTO Secretariat will proceed with the consultation process of the third and final round from the end of this month to the 6th of the following month, and final conclusions will be made before November 7.
In the third round, one of the two candidates will be elected as Secretary General through a consensus (consensus) method.
(Photo = Getty Image Korea)