Diversity Could Send a ‘Powerful Message’ as WTO Leadership Search Continues

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"One cannot argue anymore that 60 percent (of the global population) doesn't have the experience or the knowledge that is required to head an organization," she said.

"It is critical that we have women as part of the hierarchy in international organizations," she said.

"It's fantastic to have women in that role, because it actually shows that we accept women leadership, we recognize women leadership ... and that they make a serious, serious contribution."

Consensus-building

Regardless of gender or regional affiliation, the next director-general will have to grapple with numerous crises dogging the WTO, from stalled trade talks and soaring trade tensions between the United States and China, to trying to navigate a global economic slump brought on by the coronavirus health crisis.

What is needed, Mohamed insisted, is "a leader who understands the issues, and who is ready to move them forward, who is ready to bring countries together with a consensus-building".

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Increasing politicization within the WTO has put the organization's consensus-based decision-making system under strain, sparking fears that the process of choosing a new chief could take longer than November when it had been scheduled to conclude.

Mohamed, however, said she had confidence countries would manage to agree on time, as they had with previous DG picks, even when they started out with vastly different opinions.

"I actually don't see why it wouldn't work," she said. "I am not worried." 

(Writer: Nina Larson)

Source: http://u.afp.com/3Ek2