Dilma congratulates WTO and predicts "growth and justice"

247 - In a statement released this Tuesday, President Dilma Rousseff said she was pleased with the selection of Ambassador Roberto Azevêdo to assume the director-general position at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Dilma highlighted the ambassador's experience and commitment, who, according to her, was chosen with the aim of creating the conditions for a more dynamic and fair global economic order.

Check out the full note:

The Brazilian government welcomes the selection of Ambassador Roberto Azevêdo as Director-General of the World Trade Organization.

Still suffering the effects of the global crisis that began in 2008, it will be up to the WTO in the coming years to give a new, balanced and vigorous boost to world trade, which is fundamental for the global economy to enter a new period of growth and social justice.

In nominating Ambassador Azevêdo for this high-ranking position, Brazil was clear that, given his experience and commitment, he could lead the Organization towards a more dynamic and just global economic order.

This message was understood by a significant majority, and for this reason, I thank the governments around the world for the support our candidate received in the three rounds of voting. This is not a victory for Brazil, nor for a group of countries, but for the World Trade Organization.

Dilma Rousseff
President of the Federative Republic of Brazil

Repercussion

The Minister of Development, Fernando Pimentel, also celebrated the selection of Brazilian ambassador Roberto Azevêdo to assume the director-general position at the World Trade Organization (WTO), stating that the Brazilian's election is "good for Brazil and better for the WTO." According to the minister, the Brazilian government worked to choose Azevêdo, considering him the best candidate, but his election is not expected to facilitate the country's trade negotiations. "It's good for the country's image, which has always worked according to WTO rules, and it's even better for the Organization, as it will have an excellent secretary-general," he commented.

Roberto Azevêdo has held the position of Permanent Representative of Brazil to the WTO since 2008, while Hermínio Blanco, who was competing with him for the position, is an economist and former Minister of Commerce and Industry of Mexico. Whichever of the two was chosen, they would be the first Latin American to lead the organization. Azevêdo will take office on August 31, replacing the Frenchman Pascal Lamy. 

The president of Vale, Murilo Ferreira, also commented on and celebrated the appointment. "The WTO will benefit from the presence of someone with such a relevant personality," said Ferreira in an interview during an event in São Paulo. According to the president of Vale, the choice shows that the country "has all the conditions to be an active participant in international trade decisions."

Trusted

The election of Azevêdo represents the international community's confidence in Brazil, says foreign trade expert Marília Castañon Pena Valle, former general coordinator of the Department of Trade Defense at the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC). According to Marília Valle, the Brazilian's victory should be seen as the result of "serious and correct" conduct.

"The significance of Ambassador Azevêdo [as Director-General of the WTO] is very important for Brazil. He is the first Latin American, a Brazilian, and has a long history in international trade negotiations," he emphasized. "He will face a great challenge: to unblock the negotiations that are stalled, mainly due to the economic crises."

According to the expert, the biggest challenge is to continue the Doha Round – whose negotiations, initiated in the early 2000s with the goal of building a broad trade liberalization agreement, have yielded no results for about ten years. "Certainly, Ambassador Azevêdo's extensive knowledge will contribute greatly to this process," she said.

According to Marília Valle, Brazil's profile should also be considered positive. "Brazil has an export profile, but it also has an import bias. The Brazilian position in negotiations has always been one of balance, which has guaranteed the country the credibility it has today," she emphasized.

The specialist participated in several negotiations related to anti-dumping, subsidies, and safeguards processes. She was a negotiator for the Brazilian government at the WTO – in cases concerning the codes on dumping, subsidies, and countervailing and safeguard measures.

With information from Agência Brasil and Blog do Planalto.