Saudi Arabia nominates Mohammad Al-Tuwaijri for WTO director general

Saudi Arabia nominated, on July 8, the Advisor at Royal Court, Mohammad bin Maziad Al-Tuwaijri, as its candidate for the post of Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The Kingdom's Mission to the WTO affirmed in its memorandum the belief of Saudi Arabia in the multilateral trading system and WTO's vital role in this system, to enhance openness based on the rules, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The nomination of Al-Tuwaijri comes at a stage when the world is witnessing major changes in the trade system, as the Kingdom holds its responsibilities in light of its current presidency of G20 Summit and reflects its continued support to international efforts to advance the WTO and formulate a strategic vision for the member states, to enhance the important role of trade in driving economic growth and achieving sustainable development.

Al-Tuwaijri, has a proven record of experience, with a master’s degree with honors in Business Administration from King Saud University in 1998.

He has held many leadership positions, most notably his position as a Minister of Economy and Planning, as well as his membership in the Cabinet and the Council of Economic and Development Affairs from 2017 to 2020, his post as a Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning and the Secretary-General of the Finance Committee at Royal Court from 2016 to 2017, in addition to assuming the position as a Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Development Fund and Chairman of the National Transformation Program.

He also held the post of Chairman of the General Authority for Statistics and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Privatization Center in addition to his membership in the Board of Directors of Saudi Aramco and the Board of Directors of Public Investment Fund (PIF).

He also assumed the post of Deputy Chairman and CEO of HSBC Bank Middle East and North Africa from 2014 to 2016, Regional Head of banking Services at HSBC Middle East and North Africa from 2010 to 2014, and CEO of J.P. Morgan Saudi Arabia from 2007 to 2010.

The nomination process closed on July 8 as seven candidates from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Moldova, Nigeria and South Korea competed for the position.

In mid-May this year, Roberto Azevedo announced that he would end his second four-year term early for personal reasons.

The Brazilian career diplomat chaired the Geneva-based organization since 2013, holding the position for a second term that was scheduled to end in August 2021.

WTO was established in 1995 and has a membership of 164 countries, including Saudi Arabia, United States and Russia.