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WTO Director-General selection process

The procedures for the appointment of the WTO Director-General are described in document WT/L/509. The term of office of the current Director-General, Mr Pascal Lamy, ends on 31 August 2013. In line with WTO procedures, WTO members may officially nominate candidates for the post of Director-General from 1 December 2012. The nomination period ends on 31 December. Further details can be found in the 1 November 2012 Communication from the General Council Chair to members.

SEE ALSO:
> Current WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy
> Deputy Director-General selection process
> Previous GATT and WTO Directors-General

News  back to top

Selection process in 2009   back to top

At the end of the nomination period, Pascal Lamy was the only candidate. In April 2009, WTO members reappointed Mr Lamy as Director-General for a second four-year term, starting on 1 September 2009.

News 2009  back to top

• 30 April 2009: WTO members reappoint Lamy for a second term
  Audio: Statement by Mario Matus, Chair of the General Council (English interpretation — original in Spanish)
  Audio: Closing remarks by Pascal Lamy
  > Pascal Lamy’s presentation on 29 April 2009
  > Biography of Pascal Lamy

• 29 April 2009: Lamy: “Strengthening the WTO as the global trade body”
  > Statement by Pascal Lamy
  Audio: Statement by Pascal Lamy

• 7 January 2009: Communication from the Chairman of the General Council

• 4 November 2008: WTO Director-General Lamy to seek a second term

Selection process in 2005   back to top

• 26 May 2005: WTO Members choose Lamy as organization's 5th Director-General
• 26 May 2005: Statement from Pascal Lamy on his appointment as World Trade Organisation’s Director General
• 13 May 2005: General Council Chairman's remarks: Informal Meeting of Heads of Delegation
• 29 April 2005: General Council Chairman's remarks: Informal Meeting of Heads of Delegation
• 15 April 2005: General Council Chairman's remarks: Informal Meeting of Heads of Delegations
• 31 March 2005: General Council Chairman's remarks: Informal Meeting of Heads of Delegations
• 26 January 2005: Members meet DG candidates
• 4 January 2005: Four candidates nominated for the post of Director-General

Nominated candidates in 2005   back to top

Listed in the order in which their nominations were received:

Carlos Pérez del Castillo of Uruguay
> Biography
> Statement

Jaya Krishna Cuttaree of Mauritius
> Biography
> Statement

Luiz Felipe de Seixas Corrêa of Brazil
> Biography
> Statement

Pascal Lamy of France
> Biography
> Statement