The international community must soon choose new leaders for three of the world's most important multilateral economic institutions: the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The choices matter. Those selected must be capable of advancing increasingly complex agendas, balancing continued global economic leadership from the US and European Union with shared ownership by rising economic powers and the developing world.

Ideally, each institution would establish a qualified and respected executive search committee to solicit applications and vet them against a transparent list of criteria. The committee would then recommend the best candidate for approval by representatives of the member states. Such a process should have broad appeal, not least to President Bush, who seeks to bring a more business-like approach to government.