The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has appointed former European Union trade chief Pascal Lamy as its next director-general.
The incoming head of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy
The Geneva-based body, which sets the rules for global trade, approved the choice of Mr Lamy after he had been picked for the job by a special selection panel.
He takes over from Thailand's Supachai Panitchpakdi on September 1st.
"The 148 members of the World Trade Organisation formally selected Pascal Lamy of France to be the organisation's fifth director-general," said a WTO statement issued after a closed-door meeting of the ruling General Council.