The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has confirmed that Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will run unopposed for a second term as Director-General, as her current term ends on August 31, 2025.
58 of the WTO’s 164 member states backed the African Group’s proposal to support Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment on July 22, 2024. They called for an early start to the Director-General selection process and asked the incumbent, Okonjo-Iweala, to make herself available to serve a second term.
Several members, including representatives of member groups, also commended the Okonjo-Iweala for her dedication and accomplishments in her initial tenure and urged her to disclose plans for a potential second term promptly.
The Chair of the General Council, Petter Ølberg (Norway), stated that he received widespread and unanimous backing for the current DG to consider running again and for the process to commence promptly.
In response, Okonjo-Iweala, the WTO’s first female and African Director-General since March 1, 2021, expressed her gratitude for members’ support and assured them that she would promptly communicate her intentions.
Her response
She has now confirmed her willingness to serve a second term in the role in a letter to Ølberg on September 16, 2024. The information was disclosed by the organisation in a statement to the member states that Okonjo-Iweala faces no opposition from members for the position.
On October 8, 2024, the WTO formally commenced the process of appointing its next Director-General. Members were given until November 8, 2024, to submit nominations. After the deadline passed, the WTO General Council Chair confirmed that no other nominations had been received, making Okonjo-Iweala the sole candidate for the role.
Without opposition, the WTO General Council may approve her re-election bid at its upcoming meeting, slated for December 16-17, 2024, paving the way for a second term.
She overcame significant opposition (from the US) to become the WTO’s first female and African Director-General.
Before her current role, Okonjo-Iweala was the former Nigerian Finance Minister. Preceding her current appointment, she served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, from 2003 to 2006 and 2011 to 2015.
Okonjo-Iweala also briefly took on the role of Foreign Minister in 2006, making her the first woman to occupy both positions.
