Amina Mohammed, Okonjo-Iweala's rival for WTO top post unveils agenda
chuks oti
Aug 10, 2020
Amina Mohammed, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's rival for the top post at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has pledged to push for reforms in the global trade governing body.
READ ALSO: How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
She also said she should be selected not because of her gender or origin, but competence.
READ ALSO: Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships
Mohammed, a Kenyan and one of two female Africans competing for the job, had served as Kenya's foreign affairs and international trade minister.
READ ALSO: Financial Red Flags Nigerians Ignore Until It's Too Late
She promised to update the WTO rulebook "so that it's fit for purpose and in sync with the global developments, global aspirations and respond properly to global challenges.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge
The 58-year-old had previously chaired WTO's highest decision-making bodies, including the Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, the General Council, the Dispute Settlement Body, and the Trade Policy Review Body.
READ ALSO: Trump Speaks Out: Why U.S. May Join the Israel-Iran War | READ DETAILS
Like other candidates, fixing the WTO's broken dispute settlement mechanism would rank high on Mohamed's to-do list.
READ ALSO: Obinwanne Okeke (Invictus Obi) Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison
"The second thing I would like to do is to make sure that the dispute settlement system is back to where it was before, that it has the two-stage process, and that it has both the panels and the Appellate Body,ÔÇØ she told Xinhua in a recent interview.
READ ALSO: We Must Stop Health Tourism And Begin To Produce Our Own Drugs - Dangote
The United States has frozen the Appellate Body by blocking the appointment of new judges, complaining that it has overreached its mandate.
READ ALSO: See Confirmed LaLiga Fixtures For The 2022/2023 Season
The European Union and other WTO members earlier this year set up a temporary arbitration system that allows them to overcome the current paralysis and solve trade disputes among themselves.
READ ALSO: N75 billion Nigeria Youth Investment Fund: How Youths Can Access it - CBN Reveals
Talking about two major members of the WTO, Mohamed said: "We need the U.S. and China in the system. They're big contributors. They have used and benefited from the system for a very long time. And of course, they have more responsibility to the system than the much smaller countries.ÔÇØ
Outgoing WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo announced in May that he would step down on Aug. 31. If Mohamed wins, she would be the first woman and African leading the 164-member organization headquartered in Geneva.
READ ALSO: President Trump Unveils $1,000 Investment Account for All Babies Born Between 2025-2028
There are a total of eight contenders running for the top job. Three candidates are from Africa, including Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, also a woman, and Egypt's Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh.
READ ALSO: Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO
But Mohamed stressed that it's the qualification rather than the gender or origin which makes the difference.
READ ALSO: How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
"I should be selected because of the knowledge and the reform agenda that I have for the organization,ÔÇØ she told Xinhua.
READ ALSO: Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships
"Being a woman would be an additional boost, showing what contribution women can actually make.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Financial Red Flags Nigerians Ignore Until It's Too Late
"But first and foremost it has to be about competence, about experience, about knowledge, and it has to be about having a proven track record, whether you are a man or a woman.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge
Credits
Related Stories
WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge
Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships
Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO
Trump Speaks Out: Why U.S. May Join the Israel-Iran War | READ DETAILS
How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks
President Trump Unveils $1,000 Investment Account for All Babies Born Between 2025-2028
""
— chuks oti