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A significant show of support has emerged for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), as 58 of the 164 member states have endorsed her for a second term. The backing was announced during a meeting of the WTO General Council on July 22, as per a statement released by the trade body.
The statement from the WTO highlighted the proposal from the African Group, urging Okonjo-Iweala to continue her leadership. “The African Group requests that the current Director-General make herself available to serve a second term and has proposed that the process of reappointing the Director-General should be started as soon as possible,” the statement read.
During the meeting, 58 member countries, many representing groups of nations, took the floor to express their support for the proposal. They commended Okonjo-Iweala’s dedication and accomplishments during her first term, urging her to declare her intentions for a second term promptly. The Director-General, in response, expressed her gratitude, saying, “Everything that I’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished together.”
Okonjo-Iweala, 70, noted that she takes the call from the members seriously and is favorably inclined towards serving a second term. She promised to communicate her decision soon.
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Okonjo-Iweala made history when she became the WTO’s seventh Director-General on March 1, 2021.
Her current term is set to expire on August 31, 2025, but she is eligible for reappointment. Her tenure has been marked by significant achievements despite the challenges posed by the global trade landscape.
Before leading the WTO, Okonjo-Iweala held notable positions in Nigeria’s government, serving twice as Finance Minister from 2003 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2015. She also briefly served as Foreign Minister in 2006, making her the first woman to hold both positions. Her extensive career includes a 25-year tenure at the World Bank as a development economist, where she rose to the position of Managing Director, Operations, the second-highest position in the organization.
Her leadership at the WTO has been characterized by her ability to navigate complex negotiations and drive reforms, making her a respected figure in the global trade community. The widespread support for her reappointment reflects confidence in her capability to lead the organization through its next phase of development and reform.
