Brazil names candidate for WTO head

The Brazilian government on Friday proposed Luiz de Seixas as the candidate for the post of director general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), local press said.

Seixas, Brazilian ambassador to the WTO, expressed his wishes to strengthen the role of developing countries in the global trade body.

"What we offer is a contribution for the developing countries to participate in the decision-making process in a more important way. This is a legitimate goal," the ambassador added.

"We feel we could contribute to the progress of the WIO negotiations, and the WTO needs to reflect the growing importance of developing countries in the world trade system," Undersecretary General of Economic Affairs of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry Clodoaldo Hugueney, said in Geneva.

Hugueney arrived in Geneva to hand over the candidate presentation to Shotaro Oshima, chairman of the WTO's General Council.

In addition to Brazil, Uruguay and Mauritius have also presented their own candidates. The deadline for candidate presentation is Dec. 31.

In addition, the European Union officially supports the candidacy of the former European Trade Commissioner, Pascal Lamy, for the WTO head. But Lamy has not registered as a candidate.

The post of the WTO head is currently held by Thailand's Supachai Panitchpakdi, whose term ends on Aug. 31.

Source: Xinhua