THE Kenyan candidate nominated for the post of World Trade Organisation director general will have to face off with South Korean trade minister and other top contenders for the top job.
Kenya, on 21 December 2012, nominated Ms Amina Mohamed for the post of WTO Director-General to succeed the current director general, Pascal Lamy, whose term of office expires on 31 August 2013.
South Korea has nominated Taeho Bark, its trade minister, to lead the WTO, making him the eighth candidate to be put forward for the top job.
Apart from South Korea, countries that have nominated candidates include Mexico, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya and New Zealand. More could be put forward before the deadline of midnight on Dec. 31.
According to the WTO procedures for appointment of director general, the nomination period will close on 31 December 2012.
A formal General Council meeting will be held on 29 January 2013 where candidates will present themselves to the membership. The selection process will conclude with a decision by the General Council no later than 31 May 2013.
Ambassador Mohamed has served in strategic government positions and been elected to key international positions. Her work experience in over twenty six years covers a broad spectrum of domestic and international assignments.
She rose through the ranks in Kenya’s diplomatic service to the highest level of Ambassador/Permanent Representative Kenya Mission to the UN at Geneva from 2000-2006.
She served as director, Europe and the Commonwealth and Director Diaspora from mid-2006-2007 and was Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs in 2008.
Since July, 2011 she has served as United Nations Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at Nairobi.S
Kenyan to face off with South Korean for WTO top job
