BRUSSELS, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The European Union is backing
former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to head the
World Trade Organization, sending a signal of trust in Africa,
an EU official said on Monday.
Okonjo-Iweala and South Korean trade minister Yoo Myung-hee
are vying to be the first female leader in the WTO's 25-year
history, replacing Brazilian Roberto Azevedo, who quit a year
earlier than expected at the end of August.
The EU's support for Okonjo-Iweala is considered a strong
signal to reinforce the multilateral order and a sign of mutual
trust between the bloc and Africa, the official said.
The WTO faces dual challenges: criticism from U.S. President
Donald Trump's administration which froze its appeals body by
blocking its appointment of judges, and worsening U.S.-China
trade relations.
Okonjo-Iweala, 66, a previous Nigerian foreign minister, is
an economist and development specialist serving as board chair
of global vaccine alliance Gavi. She wants the WTO to help
poorer countries access COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.