On 23 March 2016 the World Trade Organisation (WTO) announced that it had received seven nominations for the appointment of a new Appellate Body member to replace Yuejiao Zhang, whose second four-year term of office expires on 31 May 2016.
South African Ambassador Xavier Carim, the chairman of the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), informed the DSB meeting that nominations for candidates had been received from Japan, Nepal, China, Australia, Malaysia and Turkey.
A selection committee will now interview the candidates on 07 and 08 April and is expected to meet delegations and hear their views on 20 and 25 April. Its recommendation will be issued no later than 12 May 2016 so that the DSB can take a decision at its regular meeting on 23 May 2016.