- Okonjo-Iweala received widespread support for a second term
- 164 member states backed her reappointment
- She has worked to restructure the global trade body
World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has received widespread support for a second term, with 58 of the organization’s 164 member states backing her reappointment.
The African Group proposed her reappointment, citing her efforts and qualities that have enhanced progress and development within the organization.
Okonjo-Iweala’s first term is set to end on August 31, 2025, and she has expressed gratitude for the support.
She stated that she takes the call for a second term seriously and will make her intentions known soon. The WTO General Council has indicated that the process of reappointing the Director-General should begin as soon as possible.
During her first term, Okonjo-Iweala has worked to restructure the global trade body, and has highlighted the need to revisit WTO rules and procedures to reflect 21st-century realities such as e-commerce and the digital economy.
Okonjo-Iweala’s background includes serving as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and her 25-year career at the World Bank. She has a PhD in regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has received numerous fellowships and awards.
The WTO is a global international organization that deals with the rules of trade between nations, aiming to ensure that trade flows smoothly, predictably, and freely.
The organization has 164 members and works to build the trading capacity of developing and least-developed countries, promoting economic cooperation and growth.
