The newly appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has reacted to her appointment, saying that the organization would get the global economy running again during her tenure as the WTO DG.
The financial expert said this on Monday. Her appointment will take effect from March 1, 2021.
She also expressed her desire to make the WTO stronger, saying that the organization would adapt to “realities of the day.”
“I am honoured to have been selected by WTO members as WTO Director-General,” said Dr Okonjo-Iweala.
Adding that “A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again. Our organization faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today.”
The former Minister of Finance was appointed as the DG WTO on Monday. Her tenure is expected to begin on March 1. She is the first woman and African to hold the position.
“Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria is appointed as the next WTO Director-General. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala makes history as the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO. Her term starts on the 1st of March 2021.
“WTO members took the decision to appoint @NOIweala at a special meeting of the General Council, following a selection process that included eight candidates from around the world #WTODG.” The WTO stated in a tweet on Monday.
Few days ago, Okonjo-Iweala received the backing of the administration of the US President, Joe Biden for the role.
Okonjo-Iweala is the Nigerian first female finance minister. She trained as a development economist with degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard.
The 66-year-old woman spent a quarter of a century at the World Bank, where she rose to be managing director and running for the top role in 2012. She is a trailblazer in her home country.
