By Adenike Lawal
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed for a second term as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The decision was unanimously endorsed by the WTO’s General Council during its session on Friday.
Her new four-year term is set to commence on September 1, 2025, extending her leadership of the 166-member organization.
In her official statement following the announcement, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala expressed heartfelt gratitude to the WTO member states for their continued confidence in her leadership.
“I am deeply honored by the trust and support of our member nations. Together, we will continue to strengthen the multilateral trading system to ensure it works for all,” she stated.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, has been credited with steering the organization through a period of global trade uncertainty, emphasizing inclusivity, sustainability, and reform.
Her reappointment signals strong support for her agenda to address pressing challenges such as trade disputes, supply chain disruptions, and the integration of developing economies into the global trade framework.
The WTO General Council noted her exceptional performance during her first term and highlighted her role in advancing significant negotiations, including agreements on fisheries subsidies and the WTO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As she prepares for her second term, Okonjo-Iweala has pledged to build on her administration’s progress while tackling emerging global trade issues.
