By Caribbean News Global 
OTTAWA, Canada – On the appointment of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the new director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Mary Ng, minister of small business, export promotion and international trade, congratulated Dr Okonjo-Iweala and outlined he significant experience in international affairs, her leadership to the Global Alliance for vaccines and immunizations and her exceptional background in addressing many of the world’s most pressing problems.
In a statement Sunday, February 15, minister Ng, said: “An effective rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, is essential to the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and for Canada’s future prosperity. Given the WTO’s global stature, strong leadership is required to bring together like-minded countries and make trade more efficient and beneficial for everyone.
“Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s commitment to bringing about positive change is evident in her work with international organizations and her public service in Nigeria, where she served in many leading roles, including as minister of finance, minister of foreign affairs and coordinating minister for the economy. We are pleased that, for the first time the WTO will be led by a woman and an African, and are confident that Dr Okonjo-Iweala will work constructively with all WTO members to ensure the organization is able to address the challenges of the 21st century.
“As chair of the Ottawa Group on WTO reform, Canada is leading efforts to modernize the WTO. We look forward to working with DG Okonjo-Iweala on this important work as well as other WTO initiatives that will pave the way for an inclusive, sustainable and resilient global economic recovery for Canadians and people around the world.”
