The head of the World Trade Organization is stepping down early from his post, opening a vacancy at an institution that is grappling with global trade tensions and a collapse in commerce during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Roberto Azevêdo, a former Brazilian diplomat who has held the director-general post since 2013, told WTO ambassadors in a statement on Thursday that he would end his term of office in September, a year before it expires.

Mr Azevêdo said his early departure would allow governments to focus next year’s planned meeting of trade ministers on reform of the organisation rather than have it consumed with the process of appointing his successor. The ministerial meeting, which is due to take place in Kazakhstan, has been postponed from this June to next year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.