1. Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) reads with concern, the report of possible resignation of Director General of World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozie Okonjo Iweala by Bloomberg, a respected news medium.
2. The news report claimed that, seven months into her 4 1/2-year term, Dr Okonjo-Iweala has fully grasped the frustrating reality of the WTO’s historical inertia, even privately floating the idea of resigning if no headway can be found on critical issues and she allegedly, repeatedly told ambassadors and staff of WTO that she could easily walk away from the job.
3. Considering the recent history of WTO, in which its immediate past Director General and Okonjo Iweala’s predecessor, Roberto Azevedo cited lack of progress at the organization as his primary reason for resigning a year before his tenure was scheduled to end, the news of possible resignation of Okonjo Iweala is taken as a call for more support and cooperation amongst members of the organization, especially ahead of the ministerial meeting coming up in November, 2021.
4. Since it’s establishment in 1995, WTO has contributed significantly to peacebuilding by amicably resolving many trade disputes that could have possibly escalated into crisis and irrespective of its ongoing challenges, the organization still has tremendous capacity to not only wither the current storm, but transform it to opportunity for strengthening the organization and repositioning it for the future.
5. Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) is therefore calling for global solidarity for the organization as it seek to reposition itself to serve the world better.
6. It is understood that the outcome of WTO ministerial meeting coming up in November will determine, to a great extent, the future of the organization and we are hopeful that the outcome of the meeting will be a defining moment for good.
7. We believe in Okonjo Iweala’s capacity to address concerns of members and restore their confidence in the mandate of the WTO and we call for renewed commitment, particularly from United States of America and its ally, who have in recent past, expressed grievances with the organization, but whose cooperation will go a long way in helping WTO strengthen itself to serve the world better, including addressing all concerns raised by all other members of the organization.
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