The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has announced the reappointment of Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its Director-General for a second term.
This decision was shared by the WTO in a post on X on Friday.
The General Council of the WTO revealed that her reappointment will take effect on September 1, 2025. The Council reached a consensus to extend Okonjo-Iweala’s tenure for another four years, highlighting her exceptional leadership and strategic vision for the WTO’s future.
The reappointment process began on October 8, 2024, and was overseen by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council.
With no other nominations submitted by the November 8 deadline, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala was the sole candidate. The process was conducted transparently, following the WTO’s ‘Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General’ (WT/L/509).
During a special General Council meeting on November 28-29, 2024, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala presented her forward-looking vision for the WTO. After her presentation and a Q&A session with members, the Council endorsed her reappointment by consensus.
The General Council praised Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her remarkable leadership during her first term. Despite significant global economic challenges, she enhanced the WTO’s support for its members and set a forward-looking agenda. Her leadership was crucial in achieving major milestones at the 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences (MC12 and MC13).
Okonjo-Iweala first assumed office as Director-General on March 1, 2021, making history as the first woman and first African to lead the WTO.
Her first term concludes on August 31, 2025.
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