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Azevedo reappointed WTO director-general

Xinhua, March 1, 2017 Adjust font size:

World Trade Organization (WTO) members on Tuesday agreed by consensus to appoint Roberto Azevedo for a second four-year term as Director-General at a meeting of the General Council.

In thanking members for their support, Azevedo said he believed the WTO "is on the right path. We have achieved a great deal over the last few years. The WTO is stronger today than it was in 2013."

A major milestone for the global trading system was reached on 22 February when the first multilateral deal concluded in the 21 year history of the WTO entered into force. In receiving four more ratifications for the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the WTO has obtained the two-thirds acceptance of the agreement from its 164 members needed to bring the TFA into force.

"This impact would be greater than the elimination of all existing tariffs around the world", Azevedo highlighted, adding that the TFA is "the biggest reform of global trade this century."

However, Azevedo underlined that the WTO "can do much more -- particularly for the smaller players and those who feel cut off from the economic benefits of trade," adding that "we must build a more inclusive trading system."

Azevedo confirmed his willingness to serve a second term in the role in a letter to WTO members on Nov. 3, 2016 at the outset of the selection process. He was the only candidate nominated for the post when the process closed on Dec. 31, 2016. Endit