WTO director general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to seek second term

Incumbent WTO director general Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala yesterday (16 September) asked for a second term leading the multilateral trade body.

A WTO spokesperson said Okonjo-Iweala formally asked General Council chair, Norwegian ambassador Petter Ølberg, for a second term following “the overwhelming and broad-based support expressed by members at the July General Council meeting.”

Fast-tracked process

Okonjo-Iweala’s announcement follows enthusiastic backing from the African Group – a coalition of 44 African nations – who tabled a motion for an early selection process at July’s General Council meeting.

In total, 58 of the WTO’s 164 members took to the floor in support of the proposal.

‘Unfinished business’

The director general told Reuters that she wanted a second term to focus on “delivering” on progress already begun, with notable “unfinished business” on fishery and agricultural deals, as well as a functional dispute settlement mechanism.

She told the publication: “I would like to be part of this chapter of the WTO story and I stand ready to compete for the position” on Monday, ahead of her formal announcement.

However, there has been suggestion that an early selection process could stave off disruption caused by a potential Trump presidency.

Okonjo-Iweala’s initial confirmation was delayed when then-President Trump supported a rival candidate, creating a stalemate within an organisation that famously prizes consensus in decision-making.

It wasn’t until Joe Biden took office in 2021 that Okonjo-Iweala was confirmed as director general.

Selection process

Okonjo-Iweala’s four-year term of office is set to expire on 31 August 2025.

The responsibility for selecting a director general lies with the General Council, an executive body which runs the WTO’s dispute settlement system and trade policy review body. The council is made up of ambassadors from all member countries.

Typically, selection is a six-month process.

The first month allows member countries to nominate their own candidate, followed by three months in which candidates outline their stances on key issues and two months for the General Council to choose a director general.

The council may broaden the decision-making to a vote in rare instances when it fails to select a candidate unanimously.

Bio

Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister, took office on 1 March 2021, becoming both the first woman and the first African to serve as director general of the WTO.

Prior to this, she spent 25 years at the World Bank, rising to the position of managing director (effectively number 2), where she led a number of initiatives to support developing nations.