On 31 August 2020, Roberto Azevêdo will step down as director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The selection process for the next director-general is underway with eight candidates nominated by national governments around the world.
The successful candidate will lead this critically important global organization as it faces enormous challenges amid intensifying international trade tensions, rising protectionism and the unprecedented global economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this webinar, Dr Alex Vines hosts a conversation with Ambassador Dr Amina Mohamed, who has held several cabinet secretary posts including for foreign affairs and trade (2013-18) and is a candidate for the director-general post at the WTO. Dr Mohamed has also served as chairperson on various WTO decision-making bodies such as the Ministerial Conference (2015), the General Council (2005), the Dispute Settlement Body (2004) and the Trade Policy Review Body (2004).
Chatham House has worked since its foundation to support and help develop the rules-based multilateral economic system. This event is part of a centenary series of dialogues with the WTO candidates supported by the Global Economy and Finance Programme and the Global Trade Policy Forum to better understand their stance on key challenges in world trade.
What is their overarching philosophy on global trade? What is their vision of the future role of the WTO and what will be needed to deliver on this? And how will they tackle a number of the most pressing issues facing the organization as the world grapples with the COVID-19 crisis and ongoing global trade tensions?
Participants
Ambassador Dr Amina Mohamed, Minister, Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2013-18)
Chair: Dr Alex Vines, Managing Director, Ethics, Risk and Resilience; Director, Africa Programme, Chatham House