February 15, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, issued the following statement:
“An effective rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, is essential to the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and for Canada’s future prosperity. Given the WTO’s global stature, strong leadership is required to bring together like-minded countries and make trade more efficient and beneficial for everyone.
“Canada congratulates Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her appointment as the new Director-General of the WTO. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has significant experience in international affairs: she provides leadership to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations and has an exceptional background in addressing many of the world’s most pressing problems.
“Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s commitment to bringing about positive change is evident in her work with international organizations and her public service in Nigeria, where she served in many leading roles, including as minister of finance, minister of foreign affairs and coordinating minister for the economy. We are pleased that—for the first time—the WTO will be led by a woman and an African, and are confident that Dr. Okonjo-Iweala will work constructively with all WTO members to ensure the organization is able to address the challenges of the 21st century.
“As chair of the Ottawa Group on WTO reform, Canada is leading efforts to modernize the WTO. We look forward to working with DG Okonjo-Iweala on this important work as well as other WTO initiatives that will pave the way for an inclusive, sustainable and resilient global economic recovery for Canadians and people around the world.”
Youmy Han
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
343-551-0246
[email protected]
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
[email protected]
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