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Today is the last day of consultations to select the @wto's next Director General.
In Geneva, delegates are casting their final votes for the remaining two candidates -- @NOIweala or @YooMyunghee1
Here's a thread answering 13 questions about how the process works:
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In Geneva, delegates are casting their final votes for the remaining two candidates -- @NOIweala or @YooMyunghee1
Here's a thread answering 13 questions about how the process works:
1/
What is the role of the WTO director general?
WTO members typically select a leader who can help coordinate their meetings, make speeches mediate disagreements & ensure that the organization is running smoothly and its 600 employees are paid and happy.
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WTO members typically select a leader who can help coordinate their meetings, make speeches mediate disagreements & ensure that the organization is running smoothly and its 600 employees are paid and happy.
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Why is there a vacancy?
On Aug. 31 the former DG, Roberto Azevedo, stepped down from the job a year before his term ended. Azevedo said his early departure was aimed at averting more chaos at the WTO.
https://bloom.bg/2T8lQnw
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On Aug. 31 the former DG, Roberto Azevedo, stepped down from the job a year before his term ended. Azevedo said his early departure was aimed at averting more chaos at the WTO.
https://bloom.bg/2T8lQnw
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What is the selection process?
The process was created in 2002 and is detailed in this document:
https://bit.ly/3234tJl
In a nutshell, candidates are nominated, campaign for about a month & then WTO members try to select a consensus candidate to serve a 4-year term.
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The process was created in 2002 and is detailed in this document:
https://bit.ly/3234tJl
In a nutshell, candidates are nominated, campaign for about a month & then WTO members try to select a consensus candidate to serve a 4-year term.
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What does consensus mean?
The most important thing to understand about the DG selection process is that the ultimate goal is to select a leader which can be supported (or at least not opposed) by the WTO's 164 members.
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The most important thing to understand about the DG selection process is that the ultimate goal is to select a leader which can be supported (or at least not opposed) by the WTO's 164 members.
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Background: Consensus is a difficult thing at the WTO so getting this right is important.
In 1999 WTO members were unable to reach a consensus agreement on two final candidates and members allowed them to each serve a 3-year term.
It wasn't great for the WTO.
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In 1999 WTO members were unable to reach a consensus agreement on two final candidates and members allowed them to each serve a 3-year term.
It wasn't great for the WTO.
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Who leads the process?
The chairman of the WTO general council, David Walker
, launched the selection procedure in June. Walker & two other WTO -- Ambs. Dacio Castillo 
& Harald Aspelund 
-- collectively make up the selection committee - known as the "Troika."
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The chairman of the WTO general council, David Walker
, launched the selection procedure in June. Walker & two other WTO -- Ambs. Dacio Castillo & Harald Aspelund -- collectively make up the selection committee - known as the "Troika." 7/
What does the Troika do?
The Troika holds confidential meetings with each WTO member & asks them 1 question: Which are your preferences?
At the end of each round the troika determines which candidates are most likely to command a consensus of the membership.
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The Troika holds confidential meetings with each WTO member & asks them 1 question: Which are your preferences?
At the end of each round the troika determines which candidates are most likely to command a consensus of the membership.
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How does the Troika decide which candidate will win?
It's an art, not a science.
Rather than strictly tabulating votes, the troika evaluates the “breadth of support” for each candidate & determines who has the broadest backing from all regions & levels of development.
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It's an art, not a science.
Rather than strictly tabulating votes, the troika evaluates the “breadth of support” for each candidate & determines who has the broadest backing from all regions & levels of development.
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Where does this happen?
At the WTO's headquarters in Geneva.
Each WTO delegate meets with the troika individually in the WTO's Salle des Pas-Perdus.
Privacy is paramount so guards are garrisoned outside the room and delegates must surrender their electronic devices.
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At the WTO's headquarters in Geneva.
Each WTO delegate meets with the troika individually in the WTO's Salle des Pas-Perdus.
Privacy is paramount so guards are garrisoned outside the room and delegates must surrender their electronic devices.
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Why all the secrecy?
The DG selection process is actually a big deal for some nations -- enough so that they will deploy their surveillance networks to glean any information about which country is backing whom -- as New Zealand did in 2013
-> https://bit.ly/31M7i1f
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The DG selection process is actually a big deal for some nations -- enough so that they will deploy their surveillance networks to glean any information about which country is backing whom -- as New Zealand did in 2013
-> https://bit.ly/31M7i1f
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What happens during the Troika's confessionals?
Each delegate enters an empty room with a desk, TV & microphone to speak remotely to the Troika via a secure video conference system.
The delegate then conveys their preference, which the Troika enters into a spreadsheet.
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Each delegate enters an empty room with a desk, TV & microphone to speak remotely to the Troika via a secure video conference system.
The delegate then conveys their preference, which the Troika enters into a spreadsheet.
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Can WTO members say if they object to a candidate?
They can try. But the Troika does not tolerate and they say consistently that they refuse to hear or take note of any negative observations in any of the rounds.
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They can try. But the Troika does not tolerate and they say consistently that they refuse to hear or take note of any negative observations in any of the rounds.
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So, what happens after today?
The Troika will offer their recommendation of the candidate that is most likely to attract consensus.
WTO members will then hold a special meeting of the general council to determine whether they can agree to appoint that candidate.
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The Troika will offer their recommendation of the candidate that is most likely to attract consensus.
WTO members will then hold a special meeting of the general council to determine whether they can agree to appoint that candidate.
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What happens if WTO members cannot select a consensus leader?
If it's not possible for the General Council to agree on a consensus candidate, WTO members can consider the possibility of recourse to a vote as a last resort by a procedure to be determined at that time.
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If it's not possible for the General Council to agree on a consensus candidate, WTO members can consider the possibility of recourse to a vote as a last resort by a procedure to be determined at that time.
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Thanks for reading.
If you're interested in learning more check out this primer on the two remaining candidates
https://bloom.bg/2YvpAkX
And this nifty video from Bloomberg's @QuickTake team:
https://bit.ly/3oyvfTd
/End
If you're interested in learning more check out this primer on the two remaining candidates
https://bloom.bg/2YvpAkX
And this nifty video from Bloomberg's @QuickTake team:
https://bit.ly/3oyvfTd
/End
