The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, (WTO) Roberto Azevêdo has resigned a few months to the end of his tenure which was set to end in 2021.
In a tweet, Roberto announced that he decided to step down based on personal reasons adding that it has been an immense honour to serve as the Director-General of the organization.
According to him, the multilateral trading system is as its architects intended a fundamental pillar of global peace and prosperity.
He said the WTO’s rules-based trade remains a source of order and predictability in international economic relations which drives investment, growth, development, and job creation.
He, however, called for the continuation of the reform process at the multilateral body.
Confirming his resignation, the WTO noted that his work over the past seven years is much appreciated.
Earlier, Mr Azevêdo had in May announced at a virtual meeting of all World Trade Organisation Members that he would step down effective from August 31.
In the meantime, the WTO eight contestants have shown interest in the DG role including Jesús Seade Kuri (Mexico), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria), and Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh (Egypt).
Others are; Tudor Ulianovschi (Moldova), Yoo Myung-hee (Republic of Korea), Amina C. Mohamed (Kenya), Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri (Saudi Arabia) and Liam Fox (UK).
