Global economy is weighed down by war, uncertainty and instability, trade chief warns

By JON GAMBRELL
Associated Press

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The head of the World Trade Organization says war, uncertainty and instability are weighing down the global economy. She urged the bloc on Monday to embrace reform as elections across nearly half the world’s population could bring new challenges. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala sought to offer some praise for her organization as it held its binneial meeting in the United Arab Emirates, even as it faces pressure from the United States and other nations. But she was blunt about the risks ahead, as higher prices for food, energy and other essentials sting people’s pockets, in her words “fueling political frustration.”