Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Reappointed a Second Term as Director-General of WTO
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will continue her leadership in global trade negotiations and in amplifying the voices of developing nations.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed as director-general of theWorld Trade Organization (WTO) for a second term, continuing her groundbreaking journey as the first woman and African to lead the organization. Since 2021, she has worked to make global trade more inclusive and fair, especially for developing countries.
Okonjo-Iweala, a respected economist who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University and holds a PhD in Regional Economics and Development from MIT, previously served twice as Nigeria’s finance minister and as a managing director at the World Bank. At theWTO, she has brought her experience and focus on real-world solutions to the table.During her first tenure, she successfully led the WTO toadopt the Geneva Package in 2022, a set of crucial agreements addressing critical global issues. Among its highlights was a deal to reduce harmful fishing subsidies, marking a breakthrough after over two decades of stalled negotiations.
She also secureda critical waiver of intellectual property rules on COVID-19 vaccines, designed to enable developing nations to produce vaccines locally. The agreement aimed to improve vaccine accessibility during the pandemic, a long-standing issue that Okonjo-Iweala pushed to resolve.
In a statement, Okonjo-Iweala said that she was deeply honored by the trust and support that the WTO’s general council has continued to put in her and acknowledged that it is a privilege to continue serving for a second four-year term. “As we look ahead, I remain firmly committed to delivering results that matter — results that ultimately improve the lives of people around the world,” she said.
Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, chairman of the WTO General Council,described Okonjo-Iweala’s first-term leadership as, “outstanding” and “instrumental in securing meaningful outcomes at pivotal moments.” Ølberg added, “Her leadership will be critical as the organization continues to advance a resilient, rules-based and equitable global trading system.”
The Australian High Commission, Abuja, has extended its congratulations to Okonjo-Iweala. Douglas Alexander, Minister of State for Trade Policy of the United Kingdom, saidhe was delighted to see his dear friend reappointed and that the U.K. admired her “strength of leadership.”
Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership has encouraged developing nations to have a stronger voice in trade negotiations, helping to make global trade rules work better for everyone. With her reappointment, Okonjo-Iweala will continue to lead the WTO through challenging times, giving hope to many who believe in a fairer and more inclusive global trading system.
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