Okonjo-Iweala addresses WTO members in Geneva

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the former minister of finance and candidate for the office of the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is currently addressing members of the WTO in Geneva.

Okonjo-Iweala and other contestants for the office of the DG will be convincing delegates on why they should be appointed as the next chief of the WTO.

Those running for the office will be addressing the members on a first-come-first-serve basis, with Mexico’s Jesus Seade Kuri going first, and Okonjo-Iweala following up immediately — they are the first two candidates to throw their hats in the ring.

Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh from Egypt will address the members immediately after Okonjo-Iweala.

Candidates from Moldova, Korea and Kenya will address members on Thursday, while their counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom will have the floor on Friday.

There are eight candidates running for the office of the DG — three from Africa, two from Europe and one candidate each from Asia, North America, and the Middle East.

Here are the profiles of all eight candidates and how they stand in the race.

Okonjo-Iweala addressed the 164-country reps for about 15 minutes, and took questions from the members for another 75 minutes.

She will address the press by 5pm Geneva time.