BREAKING: WTO Members Rally Behind Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for Unprecedented Second Term

In a historic display of support, 58 member states of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have endorsed incumbent Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for a second term, paving the way for her to continue leading the global trade body beyond 2025.

Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and African to hold the position, has garnered widespread acclaim for her achievements during her first term, which began on March 1, 2021.

Her leadership has been marked by significant accomplishments, earning her the admiration of WTO members.

At a recent General Council meeting on July 22, members expressed their support for the African Group’s proposal to reappoint Okonjo-Iweala, citing her hard work and dedication to the organization.

The statement read in part: “The African Group requests that the current Director-General make herself available to serve a second term and proposes that the process of reappointing the Director-General should commence as soon as possible.”

The 70-year-old former Nigerian Finance Minister has indicated she is “favorably inclined” to serve a second term and will announce her intentions soon. “Everything I’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished together,” she said.