A strong, more agile World Trade Organization will be "vital" for the planet's recovery from the coronavirus crisis, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said following her appointment Monday as the next WTO leader.

"A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic... we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today," the Nigerian economist said in a statement.