Ambassador Amina Mohamed, a Somali-Kenyan career diplomat and international civil servant, has been nominated by the government of Kenya for the post of Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Ambassador Mohamed was nominated on the 7^th of July 2020 after the current Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevêdo, announced that he would step down on 31 August 2020.

Ambassador Mohamed has served Kenya and the international community for more than 30 years. She has held senior positions both at home and in international institutions. In 2013, Ambassador Mohamed historically became the first woman in Kenya to hold the position of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade. She is currently the Minister of Education.

In his endorsement letter, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta stated that Ambassador Mohamed is “a master consensus builder”, and praised her work ethic.

There are eight candidates in the running for the post from all across the world. They are expected to present themselves and their plans for the global trade party today at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

If successful, Ambassador Mohamed would be the first African and the first woman Director-General of the WTO.

[Photo credit: The Ministry Of Sports, Culture And Heritage]