Nominations for Director-General Closed; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Confirmed as Sole Candidate
Geneva, November 9, 2024 – The World Trade Organization (WTO) today announced that nominations for the position of Director-General have closed and that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been confirmed as the sole candidate.
Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian economist and former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, was nominated by the African Union and received the support of a majority of WTO member countries. She is expected to take office on March 1, 2025, succeeding current Director-General Roberto Azevêdo.
“I am honored and humbled to be nominated as the sole candidate for the position of Director-General of the WTO,” said Okonjo-Iweala. “I am committed to working tirelessly to strengthen the organization and ensure that it remains a vital force for global trade and economic development.”
The confirmation of Okonjo-Iweala as the sole candidate comes after months of negotiations and consultations among WTO member states. The process was initially marred by a dispute over the US administration’s opposition to the candidacy of South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee, but the two countries eventually reached an agreement to support Okonjo-Iweala.
Okonjo-Iweala has a long and distinguished career in economics and public service. She served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance twice, from 2003 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2015. She also held the position of Managing Director of the World Bank from 2007 to 2011.
As Director-General of the WTO, Okonjo-Iweala will face a number of challenges, including the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, the need for WTO reforms, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global trade.
“I am confident that with the support of WTO members, we can overcome these challenges and make the organization stronger and more relevant than ever before,” said Okonjo-Iweala.
The appointment of Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General is a historic moment for the WTO. She will be the first woman and the first African to hold the position. Her election is seen as a sign of progress in the organization’s efforts to become more inclusive and representative of the global trade landscape.
Nominations for Director-General closed; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala confirmed as sole candidate
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