Okonjo-Iweala Will Become The First Black Woman To Run The World Trade Organization

Okonjo-Iweala has spent most of her career as an economist and as the finance minister for Nigeria, but now that the candidate from South Korea has dropped out of the race, she is slated to become the worlds first Black woman to become president of the World Trade Organization.

At first, the South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee had the support of the Trump administration, which made things difficult for the WTO because the rest of the constituency supported Iweala and all members of the WTO must agree for the new leader to be elected.

The previous leader, Roberto Azevêdo left his position back in August and the organization has been without a leader since. During this time there was a growing trade dispute between the US and China. Yoo said that bowing out of the race would end the race and give the WTO the leader it needs right now.

Per CNN

“Okonjo-Iweala spent 25 years at the World Bank as a development economist, rising to the position of managing director. She also chaired the board of Gavi, which is helping to distribute coronavirus vaccines globally, stepping down at the end of her term in December.”

Source:
TheRoot