Covid: WTO director, first victories to build trust

The new director of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, says having "first victories and successes" in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic will help restore trust in the organization. Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to head the WTO, told the BBC that the priority is to see how the WTO can help make vaccines, therapies and diagnoses more accessible and affordable for poor countries. "I think building trust is not just about talking about it; you have to do it in small steps, early wins and successes that can then help build trust," said Okonjo-Iweala. The WTO faces numerous challenges to resolve trade disputes, counter growing protectionism and lead the world out of the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.