MEXICO'S CANDIDATE FOR WTO DIRECTOR-GENERAL, HERMINIO BLANCO, ADVANCES TO THE FINAL ROUND

• The Mexican candidate will participate in the third and final stage of the selection process to choose a new Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO.

• The selection process will conclude with a meeting of the body’s General Council, to be held no later than May 31, 2013.

Doctor Herminio Blanco Mendoza has been chosen to participate in the final phase of the selection process to appoint a new Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The selection committee in Geneva, Switzerland, led by the Chair of the WTO’s General Council, presented the results of the second round of consultations among chiefs of mission of the 159 members of the Organization.

During the Council’s session it was announced that the candidates from Mexico, Herminio Blanco Mendoza, and Brazil, Roberto Azevêdo, will continue participating in the third and final stage of the selection process, resulting in one of the two being appointed the new Director-General of the WTO.

The Chair of the WTO’s Council acknowledged and thanked the three candidates who will not continue in the third round for their participation: Mari Elka Pangestu, from Indonesia; Tim Groser, from New Zealand, and Taeho Bark, from South Korea.

The second round of consultations began Tuesday, April 16 and concluded Wednesday, April 24. During this period, the organization’s members stated two preferences to the troika formed by the Chair of the General Council, Ambassador Shaid Bashir (Pakistan), the Chair of the Dispute Settlement Body, Ambassador Jonathan Fried (Canada) and the Chair of the Trade Policy Review Body, Ambassador Joakim Reiter (Sweden).

For the Government of Mexico, the selection process results are evidence of the broad support received by Dr. Herminio Blanco’s candidature for Director-General of the WTO from members of the Organization, who come from all geographic regions, and from developed, developing and least developed countries (LDCs).

Being a nation that has utilized trade to leverage its economic and social development, the Government of Mexico decided to present Dr. Blanco’s candidature in light of his vision for the multilateral trade system, and will continue making every effort necessary to ensure that Herminio Blanco is selected as the new Director-General of the WTO.

Dr. Blanco Mendoza will continue energetically promoting his vision of the WTO as an engine for development, with clear, efficient rules and measures to bolster the organization’s relevance and its ability to support its members.

Throughout the 106 days campaigning to promote his candidature, Dr. Blanco has met with representatives of over 100 countries around the world at the level of Heads of State and Government, Ministers and diplomatic representatives.

Furthermore, through 105 interviews with representatives of the national and international media, seven press conferences held in Mexico and abroad –published in 13 languages–, Blanco Mendoza has broadcast his vision for the multilateral trade system and the immediate steps the organization must take to foster the economic development of its members, in the context of the new realities of global trade.

The selection process for the new Director-General of the WTO will end, at the latest, on May 31, 2013 with a meeting of the General Council, where the results of the consultations will be announced to the members.

The mandate of the WTO’s current Director-General, Pascal Lamy, will conclude on August 31, 2013. The Organization’s new chief will take office on September 1.