The first woman and the first African to hold the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has officially secured her re-election for a second term.
The 70-year-old announced her intention to seek re-election in September, and the General Council of the WTO confirmed her reappointment after the nomination deadline on 8th of November 2024, passed with no competing candidates.
Her current term, which began in March 2021, is set to end in August 2025.
Her re-election was confirmed in a terse statement via the X handle of the WTO on Friday, 29th of November 2024.
The statement reads:
“the General Council has appointed Director-General #NOIweala for a second term, effective 1 September 2025. More details to follow.”
The reappointment, made by consensus among the WTO’s 166 member countries, follows Okonjo-Iweala’s successful navigation of the selection process despite initial challenges.
Throughout her first term, she has played a pivotal role in advancing critical reforms within the organisation. [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>