The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has appointed its first woman and first African director general.
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former finance minister, will make history when she replaces outgoing chief Roberto Azevêdo on March 1.
WTO’s 164 members voted unanimously to elect the development economist, who will serve four years in the post.
She said: “Trade is my passion. I think it is an instrument to lift people out of poverty. This organisation has been all about technical negotiations skills.
"We we want peace and security and stability. That is why the WTO is needed with its ability to arbitrate disputes between members. Let’s fix what needs fixing.”
The 66-year-old, who will handle a budget of £220m and oversee 650 staff, has 25 years experience working in development economics at the World Bank.
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is planning to address the world’s climate crisis and development issues, while restoring the trade body’s “relevance”.
She was among eight candidates who put themselves forward for the job, including North Somerset MP Liam Fox.
Last year, Donald Trump told the WTO he would veto her appointment, blocking the trade body from appointing appeal judges to arbitrate in disputes ahead of the vote.
New president Joe Biden has rejected Mr Trump’s reliance on bilateral confrontations to win trade disputes, but is still under pressure to retain a tough stance on Beijing.
“The WTO is at its critical moment and must be able to deliver soon,” said China’s delegation to the WTO.
“The collective decision made by the entire membership demonstrates a vote of trust not only in Dr Ngozi herself but also in our vision, our expectation and the multilateral trading system that we all believe [in] and preserve.”
