The WTO-DG selection process commenced today at its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Eight candidates are in the race to replace outgoing DG, Azevedo, who resigned in May this year, about one year, before the expiration of his second tenure.
See Bio:
https://www.nairaland.com/5979465/wto-candidates-dg-position

The WTO is in its deepest crisis ever, occasioned by the recession following the COVID-19 pandemic, the trade tensions between the US & China, amid growing protectionism.

The process as reeled out by the Chair of the General Council, Walker, will be in three phases….the first been a 15-min presentation before the Special General Council (involving its 164 members), followed by a 30minute Q & A from the press.

The procedures for appointing the WTO Director-General are described in document WT/L/509. The nomination period for the 2020 DG selection process ended on 8 July. The second phase of the process in which the candidates “make themselves known to members” will end on 7 September. On that date, the third phase will begin. The Chair of the General Council, together with the chairs of the Dispute Settlement Body and the Trade Policy Review Body, will start to consult with all WTO members to assess their preferences and seek to determine which candidate is best placed to attract consensus support. The third phase will last no more than two months.