Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the head of the World Trade Organisation, was reappointed on Friday for a second term.
The organisation said in a statement issued Friday that her reappointment will begin on September 1, 2025.
On February 15, 2021, Okonjo-Iweala became the first African and the first woman to serve as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), marking a significant milestone.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s first term of four years as WTO Director-General was a time of strong leadership despite challenging global economic conditions. She helped the WTO adapt to the disruptions caused by the pandemic and strengthened its ability to support member countries. Her leadership played a key role in achieving important outcomes, especially at the 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences (MC12 and MC13), where the WTO reached major agreements on trade and global cooperation. Her clear vision and diplomatic efforts have laid a solid foundation for the future of the WTO.
During a special General Council meeting on 28-29 November 2024, the Council formally endorsed her reappointment by consensus.
Petter Ølberg is the Norwegian Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Chair of the General Council laid emphasis on her reappointment saying:
“As we look ahead, the Council fully supports Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s commitment to ensuring that the WTO remains responsive, inclusive, and results-driven. Her leadership will be critical as the organization continues to advance a resilient, rules-based, and equitable global trading system.”
In a statement released on Friday, Okonjo-Iweala expressed her appreciation to the member nations of the WTO for their cooperation and support.
“I am deeply honoured by the trust and support of the WTO General Council and its 166 Members. It is a privilege to continue serving as Director-General for a second four-year term,” she stated.
Through the reappointment process, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stood as the sole candidate. This achievement shows the continued confidence in her leadership of the WTO.
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