Kenyan national Hiral Hirani has been selected as one of 19 candidates from a pool of 5,500 applicants to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) under its prestigious Young Professionals Programme.
In a statement shared on her social media platforms, Hirani expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity.
“Honored to be part of the World Trade Organization’s 2025 Young Professionals Cohort working at the Director-General’s Office! An incredible opportunity to work at the heart of the WTO, contribute to global trade discussions and learn from some of the best in the field.
Looking forward to the challenges, growth, and meaningful work ahead!” read the statement.
Colleagues and Friends Congratulate Hiral Hirani on Her New Role
The news was met with widespread congratulations from colleagues and friends.
Lucas R commented, “Congratulations, Hiral Ramesh Hirani! Well done,” while Peter Mutiso Maundu added, “Congrats, Hiral!” Aditi Sanghani praised her achievement, stating, “Well deserved.”
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also extended her congratulations to Hirani and her fellow cohort members.
“Welcoming our new cohort of 19 brilliant Young Professionals to the WTO! 5,500 applied, and 19 of you made it through the tough competition. Congratulations to you, your WTO ambassadors, and your countries.
Wishing you a very productive year at the WTO!” said Okonjo-Iweala.
Stellar Career in International Trade and Development
Prior to her appointment, she gained valuable experience through various roles in Geneva, Switzerland, a global hub for multilateral diplomacy.
From May 2023 to April 2024, Hirani served as a Research Associate at CUTS International, Geneva, where she led research projects on international trade, economic policy, and development issues.
Before this, she held the position of Research Fellow at CUTS International from October 2022 to February 2023, where she conducted in-depth research on trade facilitation, regional integration, and sustainable development.
Hirani’s journey in international trade began with an internship at CUTS International, Geneva, from June 2021 to December 2021.
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As an International Trade and Development Intern, she supported research and advocacy efforts on trade policy, economic development, and global governance, laying the foundation for her future career.
Earlier in her career, Hirani also served as a Research Associate at Global Migration Policy Associates from February 2021 to May 2021.
Her previous roles at the Permanent Mission of Barbados to the UN, WTO, and other organizations in Geneva (October 2024 – December 2024) and as an Economic Affairs Intern at UNCTAD (April 2024 – September 2024) further underscore her commitment to multilateralism and her ability to navigate complex global issues.
Hirani holds a Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and International from Geneva School of Diplomacy.
She also holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from the same institution.
About Young Professionals Programme
The WTO Young Professionals Programme was launched in 2016 as an opportunity for qualified young professionals from developing and least-developed members of the WTO to enhance their knowledge regarding the WTO and international trade issues.
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The programme aims to attract professionals from members under-represented in the WTO Secretariat. Participants in the Programme can consequently improve their chances of being recruited by the WTO and/or other regional and international organizations.
The Programme is part of the WTO Secretariat’s efforts to increase diversity and broaden the representation of the membership.
The duration of the programme is one year without the possibility of an extension.
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