WTO chief Azevedo to step down a year early

Roberto Azevedo, the director-general of the World Trade Organization, said on Thursday he would be leaving his post at the end of August, a year earlier than planned, saying his personal decision was also in the interests of the WTO.

Azevedo, 62, has headed the Geneva-based trade body since 2013 and is serving a second term that was due to conclude at the end of August 2021.