58 Countries Supports Okonjo-Iweala For Second Term As WTO DG
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 advocating for the current Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to serve a second term.
These 58 member countries made their position known during a July 22 meeting of the WTO General Council, as stated by the world trade body.
“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 begin as soon as possible,” the statement partly read.
“Fifty-eight members, several speaking on behalf of groups of members, took the floor to comment and express their support for the African Group proposal. They urged DG Okonjo-Iweala to announce her intentions regarding a second term as soon as possible. Most of these members commended the DG’s hard work and her achievements during her first term.”
Okonjo-Iweala, 70, said she was very grateful for the support from members. “Everything that I’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished together,” she said.
The director general made it known that she took the call of members very seriously and was favorably inclined. She said she would get back to members very soon regarding her intentions.
Okonjo-Iweala, the seventh WTO boss, took office on March 1, 2021, for a single term of four years which will expire on August 31, 2025. She is eligible for a second term.
The former Nigerian Finance Minister navigated stiff opposition to become the first woman and the first African to serve as WTO Director-General. Before her current appointment, she twice served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister from 2003 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2015. She also briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions.
The skilled negotiator had a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, rising to the number two position of Managing Director of operations.
