Mendoza is an economist and former minister who led that country’s negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement, as well as Mexico’s participation in the Uruguay round of talks that preceded the creation of the WTO in 1995.
Finally, on Thursday, South Korean Trade Minister Taeho Bark and Brazilian diplomat and envoy to the WTO Roberto Azevedo will go through the tough interview process.
The UN’s trade body said Monday that each candidate would be given just 15 minutes to present themselves and their vision for the WTO, before being questioned for an hour and 15 minutes.
After the closed-door interview, each of the candidates will hold a brief news conference.
The WTO’s General Council is mandated with selecting the director general by consensus, and candidates that stand little chance of being selected are expected to withdraw on their own.
The decision must be made no later than May 31, and the nominee will pick up the WTO reins on September 1.
