Roberto Azevedo is officially taking over as head of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Brazilian career diplomat on September 1 replaces Frenchman Pascal Lamy, who has served for the past eight years as director-general of the body that sets the world’s trade rules.
Lamy’s administration oversaw the expansion of the WTO to nearly 160 countries, with Russia becoming a major new member when it joined last year.
The WTO seeks to guide countries through the process of removing trade barriers, such as subsidies and regulations, in order to increase international commerce and help in the development of poorer countries.
The Brazilian career diplomat on September 1 replaces Frenchman Pascal Lamy, who has served for the past eight years as director-general of the body that sets the world’s trade rules.
Lamy’s administration oversaw the expansion of the WTO to nearly 160 countries, with Russia becoming a major new member when it joined last year.
The WTO seeks to guide countries through the process of removing trade barriers, such as subsidies and regulations, in order to increase international commerce and help in the development of poorer countries.
