LWF President congratulates Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization
The President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Archbishop Dr. Panti Filibus Musa, has sent congratulations to the new Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, saying that her vision and values “are desperately needed in today’s world”.
Okonjo-Iweala will take office on 1 March, becoming the first representative of Africa and the first woman to head the World Trade Organization. She was previously Managing Director of the World Bank and head of the global vaccine alliance Gavi.
In a letter sent on behalf of the LWF’s 148 member churches, President Musa notes that Okonjo-Iweala also gained new ground in her previous work as Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs in their shared homeland of Nigeria. In all of these roles, he says: “You demonstrated integrity and accountability.”
Equal access to education for girls
The LWF leader writes: “Your appointment and service in these roles has been and continues to inspire girls and women in Africa and around the world, and it is an encouragement to all who seek to promote equal access to education for girls.” He adds: “You are taking on an important role at a time when clear vision and strong leadership are needed.”
After her appointment, Okonjo-Iweala said that the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic would be her top priority, “in both the health and economic spheres”. In his letter, the LWF President says that the WTO’s leadership will play an essential role in addressing intellectual property rights in the context of vaccine development and distribution.
He continues: “I believe that your experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, when you served as the African Union’s Special Envoy, will be very important now as you take on a leading role in the recovery of the global economy.” This must be done “in a way that promotes goodness and justice,” says Musa.
Trade in a globalized world must always overcome inequality, not exacerbate it.
LWF President Archbishop Dr. Panti Filibus Musa
Looking at the WTO’s main issues, the LWF leader speaks of the digital economy, e-commerce, the green and circular economy, and the growing resistance to the multilateral trading system. “I hope that, in working on these issues, justice and equality among people and nations will be the key factor in ensuring that global trade benefits everyone, especially those who are already disadvantaged.” Trade in a globalized world “must always overcome inequality, not exacerbate it”, he emphasizes.
Praying for Okonjo-Iweala at the start of her term, Musa says: “As President of the Lutheran World Federation, with a deep and enduring commitment to human rights and human dignity, I want you to know that we are ready to support you and your work for goodness, justice and equality.”
LWF/P. Hitchen
GENEVA, Switzerland
| 24/2/2021
Photo: © WTO/Jay Louvion