WTO Announces Next Step For Azevedo To Become New Director

The World Trade Organization today announced that the three facilitators charged with consulting WTO members have recommended Brazilian Amb. Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo become its next director general.

The facilitators said Azevêdo is the candidate most likely to gain consensus among member states. The membership is expected to approve the recommendation at a special meeting on 14 May, according to a WTO press release.

Azevêdo beat out eight other top candidates in a consensus-taking process over the past few weeks. The final round was between him and former Mexican Trade Minister Herminio Blanco.

The WTO General Council chair told members that Azevêdo carried the largest support by members in every round, and garnered support from members “from all levels of development and from all geographic regions and has done so throughout the process.”

The director general position is a four-year term, renewable for another four years.