Okonjo-Iweala vs Myung-hee: Who will be the next WTO DG?

The final shortlist for the office of the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been released by the trade body.

Of all the eight candidates who started the race — three from Africa, two from Europe, one from the Middle-East, one from North America, and one from Asia — there are only two candidates left.

In the race were three women — Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Amina Mohammed and Yoo Myung-hee — and four men. If any of the women were to win, she would become the first female WTO DG since the organisation was set up 25 years ago.

Two of those women are the last ones standing. They are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Yoo Myung-hee.

Okonjo-Iweala, according to the IMF, has a reputation for no-nonsense straight talk and tough action. This is why she won the nickname Okonjo-Wahala, or “Trouble Woman,” from both critics and legislators in Nigeria.

Mhung-Hee on the other hand is regarded as the devil’s advocate in her country, for her aggressive trade negotiations. She has not directly led any global organisation in a senior position, but she’s coordinated trade deals with China and the United States — the biggest players in the WTO.

Both women are said to be great for the job. But the organisation has to choose only one leader.

The world is curious, global trade awaits the next captain of the WTO. But who will this woman be? Whoever it is, a lot of records will be set, the first African to lead the organisation or the first Asian to direct its affairs?

Here is how both candidates stand — ahead of the announcement of the eventual winner in the coming weeks.

Yoo Myung-hee

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala