Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Reappointed as WTO Director-General for a Second Term

Friday 29 November 2024 - 14:02

The World Trade Organization (WTO) General Council has unanimously reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General for a second four-year term, beginning September 1, 2025. This decision, announced by the WTO in Geneva, reflects broad recognition of her exceptional leadership and strategic vision for the organization’s future.

Okonjo-Iweala, the sole candidate for the position, was re-elected following an open and transparent selection process in line with WTO procedures for the appointment of Directors-General. During a special session of the General Council held on November 28-29, 2024, she presented her forward-looking vision for the WTO, followed by a question-and-answer session with member states. The Council then approved her reappointment by consensus.

The General Council Chair, Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, praised her contributions during her first term. “The General Council commends Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her exceptional leadership. Amid significant global economic challenges, she has strengthened the WTO’s capacity to support its members and charted a forward-looking agenda for the organization,” he said. Ølberg highlighted her pivotal role in achieving critical outcomes during the WTO’s 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences (MC12 and MC13), where significant milestones were reached.

Okonjo-Iweala’s historic tenure began on March 1, 2021, making her the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO. Her first term will conclude on August 31, 2025. During her leadership, she has been instrumental in guiding the organization through complex negotiations and reinforcing its role in addressing global trade challenges.

Her reappointment signifies the member states' confidence in her ability to navigate the WTO through evolving global economic landscapes and ensure it remains a central platform for multilateral trade cooperation.