Fifty-eight out of the 164 member states of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have expressed their support for a proposal from the African Group to endorse Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for a second term as the organization’s Director-General.
In a statement released by the WTO, the support was announced during the July 22 meeting of the WTO General Council. The statement read, “The African Group requests that the current Director-General make herself available to serve a second term and has proposed that the process of reappointing the Director-General should be started as soon as possible.”
The 58 member countries, including several representing groups of members, voiced their support for the African Group’s proposal, urging Okonjo-Iweala to declare her intentions for a second term promptly. Many members praised her hard work and accomplishments during her first term.
Okonjo-Iweala, 70, expressed her gratitude for the support, stating, “Everything that I’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished together.” She indicated that she took the members’ calls seriously and intended to respond soon.
Okonjo-Iweala assumed office in March 2021 and is eligible for a second term. She is the first woman and African to serve as WTO Director-General. Previously, she served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister from 2003 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2015, and briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006, being the first woman to hold both positions.
A skilled negotiator with 25 years of experience as a development economist at the World Bank, Okonjo-Iweala rose to the position of Managing Director, Operations, before her tenure at the WTO.
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