Okonjo-Iweala appreciates WTO members’ support

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala took to her X handle, yesterday, to thank all the 166 WTO members for supporting her reappointment.

She acknowledged that an enormous responsibility has been saddled upon her, and that she will double efforts to work.

Okonjo-Iweala called on every member to work together and try to deliver results towards the organizational goals.

The X tweets reads: “Today, it is with humility and a great sense of honour that I thank each and every one of the 166 WTO members for the consensus they achieved in supporting my reappointment!

“Thank you for the wonderful words of recognition and support.

“I don’t take this lightly.

“I also want to thank my colleagues in the Secretariat Staff for their dedication and hard work.

“This is an enormous responsibility and I will redouble my efforts to work with each and every member to try and deliver the results this organization needs, including the necessary reforms to make it fit for 21st century challenges.

“We’ve done it before, we can do it again!”

Okonjo-Iweala went on to thank her family and the larger global community, saying: “I am also grateful to my family, my country, to the Africa Region, and to all my friends and colleagues from all over the world who have reached out with hundreds of congratulatory messages.

“Thank you for the recognition”, she concluded.

WTO reappoints Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General

The World Trade Organization (WTO) reappointed Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director-General of the organization on November 29, 2024.

Sources claim that in 2021, Okonjo-Iweala became the first woman and the first African to manage the World Trade Organization.

For Nigeria and Africa overall, her reappointment has been hailed as a major turning point.

According to analysts, it proved that Africans might succeed in international positions and have a significant influence on the global scene.

They went on stating that Okonjo-Iweala’s outstanding leadership and unrelenting commitment to advancing international commerce and economic development have been praised for her historic reappointment.

It was reported that Okonjo-Iweala established a forward-looking agenda for the WTO.

Reports claim she improved the organization’s capacity to assist its members during her first tenure.

Securing significant results at crucial junctures, such as the 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences (MC12 and MC13), has been listed as one of her major accomplishments.

Others focus on tackling common global issues like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, as well as advancing commerce as a catalyst for resilience and economic growth.

Analysts have said Okonjo-Iweala has a lot of obstacles to overcome as she starts her second term.

As they suggested, these difficulties include resolving the current global economic crisis, encouraging trade facilitation and lowering trade barriers, and aiding in the growth of developing nations.

According to source, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment as the WTO’s director general is a major victory for Nigeria, Africa, and the international trade community.

Earlier: No opposition as Okonjo-Iweala seeks second term

The Director General of World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is on track to win a second term as director-general with no opposition.

This was contained in a statement released by the chair of the WTO, Mr. Petter Olberg, on Saturday.

Mr. Olberg, a Norwegian Ambassador announced that Okonjo-Iweala was “the only candidate for the role” because “no further nominations for the position” had been received by Friday’s deadline.

70-year-old Okonjo-Iweala declared her plan to run for a second term in September.

Her current term, which started in March 2021, is scheduled to end by August 2025.

Despite early obstacles, she was able to effectively manage the process of the WTO’s 166 member countries reaching a consensus to nominate the Director-General.

Former US President Donald Trump opposed Okonjo-Iweala‘s candidacy during her first term, endorsing a South Korean candidate instead.

However, when President Joe Biden took office, this resistance was overcome, paving the way for her momentous nomination.

Since assuming leadership, the World Trade Organization’s first African and female leader has concentrated on reviving WTO, a global trade organization frequently criticized for its stagnation and bureaucratic inefficiency.

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