On the 7th of July 2020, the Republic of Kenya submitted the
candidature of Amb. Amina C. Mohamed for the position Director-General of the
World Trade Organization (WTO).
The World Trade Organisation promotes trade for the benefit
of all countries. It is the only institution that provides a unique forum for
trade negotiations and for the settlement of disputes among its Members. It is
in fact the only platform for the integration of developing nations into the
world economy.
As a firm believer in the strengthening of international
multilateral institutions, Kenya is convinced of the urgent need to revitalize
the WTO to better serve the needs of all nations, large and small. We also
believe that it is time that Africa took up her responsibility of serving at
the helm of WTO.
Kenya offers Amina C. Mohamed, a uniquely qualified person,
to lead the WTO at this critical time. If selected, she would be the first
African and indeed, the first woman to serve at the helm of the World Trade
Organization.
Minister Mohamed understands the WTO, understands its
processes, having chaired all its high-level decision-making bodies. For
example, the Ministerial Conference, General Council, Dispute Settlement Body
as well as the Trade Policy Review Body.
The length and breadth of her experience with the WTO and
the multilateral trading system combined with her extensive track record in
international relations and her political experience, I believe is
unparalleled.
She has devoted a significant part of her professional
career in championing the benefits of trade as the way to alleviate poverty and
improve living standards not only here in Kenya but across the world.
Amina Mohamed has served this nation greatly across several
ministerial portfolios. She served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and
International Trade. She has also served as Minister for Education, Science and
Technology and is currently serving as Kenya's Minister for, Sports, Culture
and Heritage.
These over and above many other Senior Governmental jobs as Ambassador,
Permanent Secretary and many other portfolios that she has held in the past.
It should also be noted that Minister Mohamed chaired the
10th WTO Ministerial Conference that was held here in Nairobi and that was
highly successful. And that, she is the current President of the 14th United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
From a personal perspective, my experience working with her
over the years and watching her work with others has convinced me that she is
an effective leader and without doubt, a master consensus builder. She listens
to advice and works hard always to find common ground.
I have no doubt in my mind that her leadership at the WTO
will without doubt be a game changer, that will enable this important
institution to meet the requirements of its Member States and to better address
the evolving demands of the 21st Century, and this, led by a proven
consensus-builder.
Owing to her outstanding credentials, I do again strongly
believe that Amb. Mohamed will enjoy broad support from countries across the
world, with our pledge as Kenya not only to support her but to continue working
closely with all countries on the African continent and across the globe to
build consensus and a truly meaningful multilateral trade platform that every
single country can benefit from, and I thank you all.