Okonjo-Iweala Reappointed, Begins 2nd Term As WTO Director-General
Following her reappointment, Dr Ngozi Okonja-Iweala began her second term tenure as Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
In a post on X on Friday, the WTO said the reappointment of Okonjo-Iweala will take effect on September 1, 2025.
In a notice to journalists, the WTO said its members agreed to give Okonjo-Iweala a second term after a general council meeting today, being Friday, November 29, 2024.
The statement said; “Her second four-year term, which was approved at a special General Council meeting, will begin on 1 September 2025.
“DG Okonjo-Iweala took office as Director-General in March 2021 and is the first African and the first woman to serve as head of the organization,” it said.
Nigerian born Okonjo-Iweala announced her intention to seek another four-year term as the head of the WTO on September 16.
The announcement came more than a month after 58 member countries supported a proposal from the African Group of WTO for her to head the organisation for another term.
The WTO formally began the process of appointing its next Director General on October 8, 2024 which allowed members until November 8, to submit nominations and on November 9, 2024, the WTO confirmed Okonjo-Iweala as the sole candidate for the position.
In a message to members, Petter Olberg, chair of the World Trade Organisation’s General Council, announced that no additional nominations were received at the end of the deadline.
