Okonjo-Iweala Set For Second Term As WTO DG

Former Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is set to serve for a second term as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The WTO had earlier confirmed that Okonjo-Iweala was the sole candidate for the position.

A statement by the global trade organisation on Saturday stated that Okonjo-Iweala had confirmed her willingness to serve a second four-year term on September 16.

LEADERSHIP reports that Okonjo-Iweala began her current term on March 1, 2021, as the first woman to head the WTO.

The WTO began preparations to fill the leadership position on October 8 and allowed nominations till November 8.

Chairman of the WTO’s General Council, Petter Ølberg, told member-countries in a message that no additional nominations were received by the organisation by November 8 deadline.

In a message on the WTO’s website, the global trade body stated that Ambassador Ølberg, based on his contacts with delegations over the past days, will convene a special formal meeting of the General Council on November 28 and 29.

“The first day of the General Council meeting would allow members to hear a presentation from DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her vision for the WTO, followed by a question-and-answer session,” Olberg said.

“Members would take a decision on the second day on the appointment of the next Director-General.”

By implication, Okonjo-Iweala could be re-elected unopposed by November 29 since she’s the only candidate for the position.