Secretary-General Welcomes Appointment of Ambassador Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo

of Brazil as Director-General of World Trade Organization

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the appointment of Ambassador Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo from Brazil as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Having served as Permanent Representative to the WTO, Ambassador Carvalho de Azevêdo is well placed to ensure that the WTO will continue its important work to develop an open, rule-based, predictable and non-discriminatory trading system.

Ambassador Azevêdo’s endorsement at the WTO General Council today is important and timely at this critical juncture in the world economy.  The Secretary-General looks forward to working closely with him to ensure that international trade will achieve inclusive, sustained and equitable growth, help fight poverty and promote global sustainable development.

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For information media • not an official record