Okonjo-Iweala seeks second term as WTO DG

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has announced her intention to seek a second four-year term as head of the global body.

Her announcement follows strong support from 58 member countries, particularly from the African Group of the WTO, which endorsed her bid for reappointment.

Okonjo-Iweala, 70, a former Nigerian finance minister, made history by becoming the first female and African chief of the 30-year-old trade body in 2021.

“I would like to be part of this chapter of the WTO story and I stand ready to compete for the position,” Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters on Monday in comments later confirmed by a WTO statement.

“For my second term, I intend to focus on delivering,” she added, saying among the priorities were addressing “unfinished business”.

Her first term as DG, which started in March 2021, faced early challenges, including opposition from the administration of former President Donald Trump, which initially blocked her appointment.

The U.S. favored South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee at the time, arguing the WTO needed someone with direct experience in the field.

However, following Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Okonjo-Iweala secured U.S. support and assumed office on March 1, 2021.

While reflecting on her tenure, Okonjo-Iweala admitted the role has been tough, largely due to ongoing geopolitical tensions between the 166 WTO member states.

Despite these challenges, she remains passionate about the job, stating, “It’s also a job that makes me want to get out of bed in the morning.”

Her current term is set to conclude in August 2025, and she is eligible for re-election.

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