Okonjo-Iweala Seeks Second Term as WTO Director-General

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and African to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO), is seeking a second term as Director-General. Discover her key achievements and future plans for global trade.

The current Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has declared her official intention to pursue another four-year term.

After receiving significant backing from 58 member countries, notably the African Group of the WTO who championed her bid for reappointment, she made an announcement.

Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters that she is prepared to “vie” for the position and emphasized her commitment to delivering outcomes while tackling any lingering issues within the organization in the upcoming term.

She expressed her desire to be a part of this chapter in the story of WTO and declared readiness to contend for the position.

Commencing in March 2021, her initial tenure as DG was met with immediate hurdles, including resistance from the administration under former U.S. President Donald Trump who initially impeded her appointment.

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Initially, the United States leaned towards Yoo Myung-hee of South Korea for her direct experience in the field while advocating for her to fill the WTO vacancy. Nevertheless, after Joe Biden emerged victorious in the 2020 U.S presidential election, Okonjo-Iweala obtained American backing and undertook office on March 1st, 2021.

Looking back on her time in office, Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged that the position has been challenging, primarily because of persistent political tensions among the 166 member nations of the WTO.

In spite of the obstacles, she continues to have a strong enthusiasm for her job and declares that it motivates her to get up every morning.

She is eligible for re-election and her present term will end in August 2025.

Having served as Nigeria’s finance minister for two terms and held prominent positions at the World Bank, Okonjo-Iweala is well-positioned to embark on her next phase of the WTO journey.