Brussels, 17 February 2021/OACPS: The Secretary-General (SG) of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), H.E. Mr Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, extended his congratulations to the OACPS candidate, H.E. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her appointment, on 15 February 2021, as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In a letter to Dr Okonjo-Iweala, the OACPS SG lauded her ground-breaking achievement, which saw her ascend, not only as the first female, but also, the first African national and first citizen representing the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) to this eminent post.

SG Chikoti further noted the optimism for enhanced cooperation amongst all WTO Members resulting from H.E. Okonjo-Iweala’s assumption of office, drawing attention to the OACPS’ actions with respect to world trade, in particular the activities of the Geneva Group of Ambassadors.

Recalling the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Secretariats of the OACPS and the WTO on 10 September 2003, SG Chikoti again committed to the continued cooperation between the two organisations in the hope that the WTO would seize every opportunity to work towards addressing historical imbalances in all areas of negotiation, while taking into account the sensitivities of developing countries, especially the weakest amongst them.

H.E. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti shares the happiness of his African brothers and sisters and in particular, extends his congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Nigeria on this recognition, at the highest international level, of the quality and competency of its nationals.

See also: OACPS endorses candidacy of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as next Director-General of the World Trade Organization