Mexico nominated its veteran trade official Jesus Seade for the next Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), thus becoming the first member state to announce its candidate for the post as WTO officially launched the selection process on Monday.

According to a biographical note posted on the WTO website, Seade has served as Deputy Director-General of the WTO and its predecessor -- the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

In addition to his extensive experiences working with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), the biography noted, the Mexican candidate was also chief negotiator of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

With "unique experience in global trade negotiations and policy," Seade sees himself an "effective negotiator and consensus builder."

Roberto Azevedo, the current Director-General of the WTO, recently announced that he will officially leave his post on Aug. 31, a year before his term expires.

According to WTO General Council Chair David Walker, member states are allowed to submit nominations for a new chief within one month, starting from June 8, and a consolidated list of all candidates will be issued to members after July 8.

Shortly after the nomination period has closed, candidates will be invited to meet with members at a special General Council meeting, present their views and take questions from the membership.

It is stipulated that if no new Director-General can be confirmed by Aug. 31, the General Board shall designate a current Deputy Director-General to serve as Acting Director-General, until the appointment of a new chief.