WTO confirms Okonjo-Iweala as only candidate for second term
The World Trade Organisation has officially confirmed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the only candidate for the position of Director-General for a second term.The organisation announced the news on Saturday, following Okonjo-Iweala's confirmation of her willingness to serve another four-year term on September 16.
Her reappointment signals that she will continue to lead the WTO after taking over in 2021.
The WTO began the process of appointing its next director-general on October 8, setting a November 8 deadline for member countries to submit nominations.
According to a message from Petter Olberg, chair of the WTO's General Council, no additional nominations were received by the November 8 deadline, confirming Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the sole candidate for the position.
"Under the procedures for the appointment of Directors-General (WT/L/509), I am required to communicate to Members a consolidated list of candidatures received for the post of Director-General immediately after the close of the nomination period, in this case 8 November 2024," according to the statement.
"I would like to inform members that at the end of the nomination period, the only candidate for this position was Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current director-general.
"The notification received from Dr Okonjo-Iweala pursuant to paragraph 12 of the Procedures in WT/L/509, was circulated to all Members together with my communication in document JOB/GC/406, dated 16 September 2024."
The WTO also stated that Petter Olberg, chair of the General Council, would soon communicate the next steps in the appointment process.
Given that no additional nominations were received by the November 8 deadline, Okonjo-Iweala's reappointment should go smoothly.
The WTO has confirmed that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's current term as Director-General will end on August 31, 2025.
She was appointed to the position on February 15, 2021, making history as the organization's first female and African leader.
Her historic appointment was a watershed moment for the WTO, and her potential second term will add to her legacy of leadership at the helm of global trade.
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