Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, has been confirmed as the sole candidate for a second four-year term, with overwhelming support from member states.
This development follows the African Group’s proposal for Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment, backed by 58 countries.
Okonjo-Iweala, who made history as the first woman and African to lead the global trade body in 2021, is set to conclude her first term on 31 August 2025.
The WTO formally began its appointment process for the next director-general on 8 October, with a nomination deadline set for 8 November.
In a statement on Saturday, Petter Olberg, Chair of the WTO General Council, confirmed that no additional nominations were submitted by the deadline, leaving Okonjo-Iweala as the only candidate.
“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,” he stated.
“I would like to advise members that at the end of the nomination period, the only candidacy received for this post is from Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the incumbent director-general.”
Okonjo-Iweala’s bid is backed by her impressive record during her tenure, which included brokering significant trade agreements.
She achieved the landmark success of the WTO’s first partial global treaty on fisheries subsidies in 2022 and is credited with advancing crucial negotiations on agricultural trade and reforming the dispute resolution system.
The African Group and 58 member nations officially endorsed her second term during a General Council meeting in July.
“Most of these members praised the DG’s hard work and her achievements during her first term,” the WTO stated, confirming the endorsement.
Okonjo-Iweala, responding to the support she has received, expressed gratitude to the WTO members, noting that her achievements were collaborative.
“Everything that I’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished together,” she remarked.
Indicating her willingness to continue, she said, “I would like to be part of this chapter of the WTO story.”
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