Brazilian Azevêdo officially appointed next WTO boss

The General Council of the World Trade Organisation on May 14, 2013 officially appointed Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo of Brazil as its next Director-General.

This comes after Members of the Council approved the appointment during a special meeting in Geneva.

Mr Azevêdo’s term of office begins September 1, 2013.

Outgoing Director-General Pascal Lamy pledged to work closely with Ambassador Azevêdo in ensuring a smooth transition.

In an acceptance speech, Mr Azevêdo pledged to all members that “I will work with them, with unwavering and steadfast determination, to restore the WTO to the role and pre-eminence it deserves and must have.”

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde, has congratulated Roberto Azevêdo on his appointment.

In a statement, Ms Lagarde said “I am confident that under his leadership the WTO will address the important opportunities and challenges facing the multilateral trading system in the coming years.”

According Ms Lagarde, the relationship between the IMF and the WTO is special as the missions of the organizations are mutually reinforcing.
“I look forward to working with him and further advancing the collaboration between our institutions,” Lagarde said.

By Ekow Quandzie