New Zealand has nominated Trade Minister Tim Groser to the post of Director General of the Geneva based World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Incumbent Pascal Lamy of France will retire in May and the members of the global body must express their unanimous consent for the appointment of his successor.
The last date for receipt of nominations, filed through respective governments, was December 31, 2012. As on that day, there were seven candidates vying for the post of Director General, including Mr Groser.
Other nominees
Among the others (in order of nominations received) are Mari Pangestu (former Trade Minister and currently Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy) of Indonesia; Roberto Carvalho de Azevedo (Permanent Representative to WTO and other bodies) of Brazil; Taeho Bark (Trade Minister) of South Korea; Dr Ahmad Hindawi (former Minister of Industry & Trade) of Jordan; and Amina Mohamed (former Ambassador to the UN and currently Assistant Secretary General & Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme) of Kenya.
According to the WTO eligibility criteria, candidates to the top post should have extensive experience in international relations encompassing economic, trade with or without political experience, a firm commitment to the work and objectives of WTO, proven leadership and managerial ability and demonstrated communication skills.
Mr Groser has these capabilities and more; as a former diplomat, Ambassador to WTO and negotiator, he understands the nuances of the job.
However, he would face tough competition.
Voting option
WTO procedures specify that if the General Council of WTO does not achieve consensus within the prescribed time, the members would consider voting as the last resort, by a procedure to be determined when the occasion arises.
Such voting would be considered an exception to the rule and will not be established as a precedent for the future.
Prime Minister John Key has supported the nomination of Mr Groser.
“Given his experience in trade, and the blend of both technical and political skills that he brings to the table, I believe that Mr Groser is well-placed to advance the complex and challenging issues facing the WTO. The organisation has a vital part to play in the global economic recovery,” Mr Key said.
Mr Groser said that he valued the nomination.
“I have spent most of my professional life working to advance international trade issues and consider the WTO to be of fundamental importance to global economic development and prosperity. “The past few years have placed great stress on the multilateral trading system and the next few years will be critical in maintaining the WTO’s relevance and value for its members,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Mike Moor, currently our Ambassador to the US in Washington DC, held the post of Director General of WTO 11 years ago.
