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:
1/
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/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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.
2/
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.
2/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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.
bloom.bg/2T8lQnw
3/
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.
bloom.bg/2T8lQnw
3/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 What is the selection process?
The process was created in 2002 and is detailed in this document:
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.
4/
The process was created in 2002 and is detailed in this document:
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.
4/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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.
5/
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.
5/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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.
6/
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.
6/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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."
7/
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/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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.
8/
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.
8/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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.
9/
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.
9/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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.
10/
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.
10/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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
-> bit.ly/31M7i1f
11/
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
-> bit.ly/31M7i1f
11/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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.
12/
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.
12/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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.
13/
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.
13/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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.
14/
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.
14/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 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.
15/
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.
15/
@wto @NOIweala @YooMyunghee1 Thanks for reading.
If you're interested in learning more check out this primer on the two remaining candidates
bloom.bg/2YvpAkX
And this nifty video from Bloomberg's @QuickTake team:
bit.ly/3oyvfTd
/End
If you're interested in learning more check out this primer on the two remaining candidates
bloom.bg/2YvpAkX
And this nifty video from Bloomberg's @QuickTake team:
bit.ly/3oyvfTd
/End
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