Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a second term. The decision was announced by the WTO General Council, marking a continued endorsement of her leadership.
Okonjo-Iweala’s new four-year term will commence on September 1, 2025. She expressed her gratitude to the WTO’s 166 member countries for their ongoing confidence and support. “I am deeply honoured by the trust and support of the WTO General Council and its 166 Members,” she said.
Reflecting on her achievements during her first term, Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the WTO’s pivotal role in navigating global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, international conflicts, and rising geopolitical tensions. She emphasized the organization’s resilience in addressing these unprecedented challenges and commended the efforts of WTO members in making progress despite global uncertainties.
Okonjo-Iweala also reaffirmed her commitment to using trade as a tool for fostering economic growth and resilience. “As we look ahead, I remain firmly committed to delivering results that matter—results that ultimately improve the lives of people around the world,” she said.
The WTO’s continued mission is to foster an inclusive, rules-based trading system that can tackle the world’s shared challenges. Okonjo-Iweala emphasized her dedication to working with the WTO staff to ensure that the organization remains a collaborative platform for global trade that benefits all nations.
Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment is a testament to her leadership and the trust that WTO members have in her. She is the first African and the first woman to lead the global trade body.
The decision to reappoint Okonjo-Iweala was unanimous, with all 166 WTO member countries supporting her second term. This is a clear indication of the confidence that WTO members have in her leadership and vision for the organization.
Okonjo-Iweala’s second term will commence on September 1, 2025, and will run for four years. During this time, she will continue to work towards promoting trade as a tool for fostering economic growth and resilience.
