Nigerian-American, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will begin work as the new head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Monday.
A former Nigerian finance and foreign minister, Okonjo-Iweala is the first woman and first African to run the WTO.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has said that addressing the health and economic consequences of the pandemic would be a key priority.
There had been concerns in Washington and other capitals about trade policies imposed by China and whether the WTO is well equipped to deal with them.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala is known to be reform-minded, but will be constrained by the wishes of member countries.
