The World Trade Organization (WTO) has officially reappointed Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its Director-General, securing her leadership for a second term. The announcement was made via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is set to begin her second four-year term on September 1, 2025. Her reappointment by consensus was confirmed during a special General Council meeting held on November 28 and 29, 2024.
The process of reappointment, which began on October 8, 2024, was overseen by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the WTO General Council. It adhered strictly to the organization’s formal procedures for selecting its Director-General, as outlined in document WT/L/509. The timeline for nominations closed on November 8, with no additional candidates coming forward, leaving Dr. Okonjo-Iweala as the sole nominee.
In the lead-up to her reappointment, Okonjo-Iweala presented her vision for the WTO during the special meeting, outlining her strategies for navigating the organization through a rapidly evolving global economic landscape. The session included an in-depth Q&A with member states, after which the Council unanimously endorsed her second term.
The WTO applauded Okonjo-Iweala’s first term, describing her leadership as transformative during a period marked by significant global economic challenges.
“Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a forward-looking vision for the future of the WTO. Her first term was marked by pivotal achievements, including significant outcomes at the 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences (MC12 and MC13),” the Council noted.
Her tenure has been characterized by great milestones, with key agreements brokered on complex issues such as trade facilitation, digital commerce, and sustainability.
She is the first woman and first African to lead the WTO.
Reflecting on her achievements, Okonjo-Iweala remarked during the meeting, “The WTO’s strength lies in its members’ collective resolve to address the evolving challenges of international trade. My vision is to build on our shared successes and forge a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global trading system.”
Her first term concludes on August 31, 2025.
