MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Doha hangover: Lamy unopposed for his second WTO mandate

WTO Pascal Lamy

The current director-general of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy, is the only candidate for the position. He was the only candidate when nominations closed on 31 December.

His current four-year term as head of the body that referees world trade expires at the end of August this year. WTO members must now decide whether the re-appointment is automatic, or to go through a formal selection process. It's the first time in the 14-year history of the WTO that there has been no contest for the position. Previous elections lasted for months. The organization's 153 members did not put forward another candidate by the December 31, 2008, deadline, spokesman Keith Rockwell said. Mr Lamy is a former trade chief of the European Union. Before becoming WTO chief, Lamy was the European Union's trade commissioner for five years, leading the EU efforts in several high-profile disputes against the United States and developing countries. His entire first term was dominated by efforts to conclude the Doha round of trade talks which began seven years ago. His nomination will have to be confirmed by members before the end of May. If approved, his second term will start on September first. Before becoming WTO chief, Lamy was the European Union's trade commissioner for five years, leading the EU efforts in several high-profile disputes against the United States and developing countries.