Since what happens to international ag trade is very important to how companies market their products and services the World Trade Organization (WTO) plays a key role. Well, the leadership just changed there. Are American ag interests happy with the decision?
WTO Members choose Lamy as organization’s 5th Director-General
The 148 members of the World Trade Organization today formally selected Pascal Lamy of France to be the organization’s fifth Director-General. The decision was taken by consensus at the General Council. Mr. Lamy will assume his four year, renewable term on 1 September.
“I congratulate Pascal on his selection as Director-General. His experience in trade matters, his grasp of detail and his proven track record in institutional management ensure that he will be an excellent Director-General. I look forward to working closely with him in the future,” said Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, who will assume 1 September the post of Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
“I intend to make every effort to move the Doha Development Agenda negotiations as far as possible to ensure that we are well positioned for our Hong Kong Ministerial Conference in December. A solid outcome in our July General Council will give Pascal a very good platform from which to launch the last stage of Ministerial preparations,” Director-General Supachai said.
The General Council decision brings to a close the five month process during which four candidates were nominated by their respective governments. In addition to Mr. Lamy, the candidates were Carlos Perez del Castillo of Uruguay, Jaya Krishna Cuttaree of Mauritius and Luiz Felipe Seixas Correa of Brazil.
Visit here for the full release.