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Today is the last day of consultations to select the @wto& #39;s next Director General.
In Geneva, delegates are casting their final votes for the remaining two candidates -- @NOIweala or @YooMyunghee1
Here& #39;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& #39;s a thread answering 13 questions about how the process works:
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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
3/">https://bloom.bg/2T8lQnw&q...
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
3/">https://bloom.bg/2T8lQnw&q...
What is the selection process?
The process was created in 2002 and is detailed in this document:
https://bit.ly/3234tJl
In">https://bit.ly/3234tJl&q... 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">https://bit.ly/3234tJl&q... 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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;t great for the WTO.
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Who leads the process?
The chairman of the WTO general council, David Walker
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇳🇿" title="Flagge von Neuseeland" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge von Neuseeland">, launched the selection procedure in June. Walker & two other WTO -- Ambs. Dacio Castillo https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇭🇳" title="Flagge von Honduras" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge von Honduras"> & Harald Aspelund https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇮🇸" title="Flagge von Island" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge von Island"> -- collectively make up the selection committee - known as the "Troika."
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The chairman of the WTO general council, David Walker
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, launched the selection procedure in June. Walker & two other WTO -- Ambs. Dacio Castillo https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇭🇳" title="Flagge von Honduras" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge von Honduras"> & Harald Aspelund https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇮🇸" title="Flagge von Island" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge von Island"> -- collectively make up the selection committee - known as the "Troika." 7/" title="Who leads the process?The chairman of the WTO general council, David Walker https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇳🇿" title="Flagge von Neuseeland" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge von Neuseeland">, launched the selection procedure in June. Walker & two other WTO -- Ambs. Dacio Castillo https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇭🇳" title="Flagge von Honduras" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge von Honduras"> & Harald Aspelund https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇮🇸" title="Flagge von Island" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge von Island"> -- collectively make up the selection committee - known as the "Troika." 7/" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;s headquarters in Geneva.
Each WTO delegate meets with the troika individually in the WTO& #39;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& #39;s headquarters in Geneva.
Each WTO delegate meets with the troika individually in the WTO& #39;s Salle des Pas-Perdus.
Privacy is paramount so guards are garrisoned outside the room and delegates must surrender their electronic devices.
10/
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
11/">https://bit.ly/31M7i1f&q...
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
11/">https://bit.ly/31M7i1f&q...
What happens during the Troika& #39;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& #39;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& #39;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& #39;re interested in learning more check out this primer on the two remaining candidates
https://bloom.bg/2YvpAkX
And">https://bloom.bg/2YvpAkX&q... this nifty video from Bloomberg& #39;s @QuickTake team:
https://bit.ly/3oyvfTd
/End">https://bit.ly/3oyvfTd&q...
If you& #39;re interested in learning more check out this primer on the two remaining candidates
https://bloom.bg/2YvpAkX
And">https://bloom.bg/2YvpAkX&q... this nifty video from Bloomberg& #39;s @QuickTake team:
https://bit.ly/3oyvfTd
/End">https://bit.ly/3oyvfTd&q...
