REFILE-UPDATE 1-Incoming WTO head warns 'vaccine nationalism' could slow pandemic recovery

(Refiles to add dropped name Ngozi, paragraph 2)
By Andrea Shalal
WASHINGTON, Feb 15 (Reuters) - The World Trade
Organization's incoming chief on Monday warned against "vaccine
nationalism' that would slow progress in ending the COVID-19
pandemic and could erode economic growth for all countries -
rich and poor.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters her top priority was to
ensure the WTO does more to address the pandemic, saying members
should accelerate efforts to lift export restrictions slowing
trade in needed medicines and supplies.
The former Nigerian finance minister and senior World Bank
executive was appointed on Monday in a consensus process and
starts her new job on March 1. "The WTO can contribute so much more to helping stop the
pandemic," Okonjo-Iweala said in an interview at her home in a
suburb of Washington.
"No one is safe until everyone is safe. Vaccine nationalism
at this time just will not pay, because the variants are coming.
If other countries are not immunized, it will just be a blow
back," she said. "It's unconscionable that people will be dying
elsewhere, waiting in a queue, when we have the technology."
Okonjo-Iweala said studies showed that the global economy
would lose $9 trillion in potential output if poor countries
were unable to get their populations vaccinated quickly, and
about half of the impact would be borne by rich countries.
"Both on a human health basis, as well as an economic basis,
being nationalistic at this time is very costly to the
international community," she said.
"A very top priority for me would be to make sure that prior
to the very important ministerial conference ... that we come to
solutions as to how the WTO can make vaccines, therapeutics and
diagnostics accessible in an equitable and affordable fashion to
all countries, particularly to poor countries,"
Okonjo-Iweala said she was heartened by the Biden
administration's contribution to the World Health Organization
effort to ensure broader distribution of vaccines, and what she
called a "fantastic" conversation with trade advisers in the
U.S. Trade Representative's office.
"I think our interests and priorities are aligned. They want
to bring the WTO back to (its) purpose," she said. "It's about
people. It's about inclusivity. It's about decent work for
ordinary people," she said.
She said she shared the Biden administration's concerns
about the need to reform the WTO's Appellate Body, but said that
would not be a quick or easy process.
"This is the jewel in the crown of the WTO, and we really
need to restore it," she said. The dispute settlement body has
been paralyzed since last year after the administration of
former U.S. President Donald Trump refused to approve the
appointment of more judges.
Okonjo-Iweala said there were clearly differences among
members, but progress was possible, especially given the shift
in tone and approach of the Biden administration.
"I'm not daunted. I see a way forward," she said. "With the
U.S. administration being willing to engage ... I think the way
of working to try and get a solution will be different."