Fifty-eight World Trade Organization (WTO) members have endorsed the African Group’s proposal for Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to seek a second four-year term. The WTO made this announcement on its website on Monday, July 2024.
During a WTO General Council meeting on July 22, these 58 members voiced their support for an early start to the selection process for the Director-General position. They encouraged Okonjo-Iweala to be available for another term.
The statement highlighted that the 58 members, including several group representatives, approved the African Group’s proposal. They praised Okonjo-Iweala’s achievements during her first term and urged her to declare her intentions for a second term as soon as possible.
In response, Okonjo-Iweala thanked the members for their support, stating, “Everything that I’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished together.” She acknowledged the call for her to seek a second term and indicated she was positively inclined, promising to make her decision known soon.
General Council Chair Petter Ølberg of Norway noted the broad and strong support for Okonjo-Iweala’s potential second term and the need for an immediate start to the reappointment process. He pledged to engage with delegations in the coming days and weeks.
Background
Earlier reports indicated that the African Group, consisting of 44 African WTO member countries and nine observers, had requested Okonjo-Iweala run for a second term. A statement reported by Reuters detailed this request.
Okonjo-Iweala became the WTO’s seventh Director-General on March 1, 2021. She is the first woman and first African to lead the organization. Her current term will end on August 31, 2025.
A distinguished global finance expert, economist, and international development professional, Okonjo-Iweala has over 40 years of experience across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America. She previously served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister twice (2003-2006 and 2011-2015) and briefly as Foreign Minister in 2006, making history as the first woman to hold both positions.
