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JAKARTA
POST, 11 Mei 2013
It is interesting
to have observed the failure of Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka
Pangestu to replace Pascal Lamy as director general of the World Trade
Organization (WTO) in Geneva recently.
Shown through her work, Mari’s capacity and networking abilities are not open to question. During her tenure as the minister of trade, her active role in WTO meetings was recognized internationally, specifically in negotiations to finalize the Doha Development Agenda which had been discussed for more than 10 years.
Due to her vast knowledge of global trade, she led several ministerial conferences, the highest forum in WTO meetings.
Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan insists that lobbying for Mari’s election was undertaken concertedly by the Trade Ministry, the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry and the Foreign Ministry.
Mari also made direct approaches to member states both in the headquarters of the WTO in Geneva and in their respective capitals to woo support.
In the race for the top WTO post, there were nine candidates in the first round which eventually came down to five, namely Mari (Indonesia), Tim Groser (New Zeland), Taeho Bark (South Korea), Hermino Blanco (Mexico) and Roberto Azevedo (Brasil). Mari, Groser and Taeho withdrew from the race due to the lack of support from the 154 member states of the WTO. Blanco and Azevedo are the only candidates left standing and it is not difficult to see where their support comes from.
Presumably, the candidate of Brazil has support from developing countries, while the Mexican candidate is backed by developed countries led by the United States, which still has interest in controlling the global trade organization.
Apart from the election process, which will close at the end of May, it is good to note that Brazil often succeeds in putting its candidates in top jobs in international organizations.
Brazil has received attention due to its economic development. In the last two decades, Brazilian economic growth has brought social welfare to its people, reducing inequality significantly.
This was commenced by president Fernando Henrique Cardoso in the beginning of the 1990s, when there were massive increases in education expenditure particularly for the poor. This was continued by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who allocated social expenditure to reduce hunger and poverty. As a result, inequality was reduced, growth increased and society became more stable.
Furthermore, this economic development has not only been enjoyed by the people of Brazil, but by other countries through economic aid programs.
This is a political investment, which has been a big influence in generating the machine of diplomacy whenever needed, especially in Africa where a huge number of votes are available.
And this was showcased at the election of the director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2011, when many African countries voluntarily became vote getters for the Brazilian candidate.
At that time, the Indonesian candidate, Dr. Indroyono Soesilo, had already passed the first round after ranking third in the list.
However, in the second round, he decided to withdraw his support and gave his votes to the Brazilian candidate.
As soon as the Brazilian candidate defeated the Spanish rival for the FAO chief post, Indroyono secured a position as a director at FAO headquarters in Rome in return.
Similarly, Mari called it a day due to lack of support for the next round. Looking at their individual competences, the Indonesian candidates for director general of FAO and WTO deserved the coveted posts, but the realities were different. In the future, political investment in other developing member states will be a must and should be pursued constructively.
Of course, there is a pretext that Indonesia should be able to become a model country in bringing social welfare to the people.
And the welfare should be shared with other developing countries. If this materializes, it is not an exaggeration that Indonesia will have its people lead international organizations. ●
Shown through her work, Mari’s capacity and networking abilities are not open to question. During her tenure as the minister of trade, her active role in WTO meetings was recognized internationally, specifically in negotiations to finalize the Doha Development Agenda which had been discussed for more than 10 years.
Due to her vast knowledge of global trade, she led several ministerial conferences, the highest forum in WTO meetings.
Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan insists that lobbying for Mari’s election was undertaken concertedly by the Trade Ministry, the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry and the Foreign Ministry.
Mari also made direct approaches to member states both in the headquarters of the WTO in Geneva and in their respective capitals to woo support.
In the race for the top WTO post, there were nine candidates in the first round which eventually came down to five, namely Mari (Indonesia), Tim Groser (New Zeland), Taeho Bark (South Korea), Hermino Blanco (Mexico) and Roberto Azevedo (Brasil). Mari, Groser and Taeho withdrew from the race due to the lack of support from the 154 member states of the WTO. Blanco and Azevedo are the only candidates left standing and it is not difficult to see where their support comes from.
Presumably, the candidate of Brazil has support from developing countries, while the Mexican candidate is backed by developed countries led by the United States, which still has interest in controlling the global trade organization.
Apart from the election process, which will close at the end of May, it is good to note that Brazil often succeeds in putting its candidates in top jobs in international organizations.
Brazil has received attention due to its economic development. In the last two decades, Brazilian economic growth has brought social welfare to its people, reducing inequality significantly.
This was commenced by president Fernando Henrique Cardoso in the beginning of the 1990s, when there were massive increases in education expenditure particularly for the poor. This was continued by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who allocated social expenditure to reduce hunger and poverty. As a result, inequality was reduced, growth increased and society became more stable.
Furthermore, this economic development has not only been enjoyed by the people of Brazil, but by other countries through economic aid programs.
This is a political investment, which has been a big influence in generating the machine of diplomacy whenever needed, especially in Africa where a huge number of votes are available.
And this was showcased at the election of the director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2011, when many African countries voluntarily became vote getters for the Brazilian candidate.
At that time, the Indonesian candidate, Dr. Indroyono Soesilo, had already passed the first round after ranking third in the list.
However, in the second round, he decided to withdraw his support and gave his votes to the Brazilian candidate.
As soon as the Brazilian candidate defeated the Spanish rival for the FAO chief post, Indroyono secured a position as a director at FAO headquarters in Rome in return.
Similarly, Mari called it a day due to lack of support for the next round. Looking at their individual competences, the Indonesian candidates for director general of FAO and WTO deserved the coveted posts, but the realities were different. In the future, political investment in other developing member states will be a must and should be pursued constructively.
Of course, there is a pretext that Indonesia should be able to become a model country in bringing social welfare to the people.
And the welfare should be shared with other developing countries. If this materializes, it is not an exaggeration that Indonesia will have its people lead international organizations. ●
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