The first woman and the first African to hold the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has officially secured her re-election for a second term.
The 70-year-old announced her intention to seek re-election in September, and the General Council of the WTO confirmed her reappointment after the nomination deadline on November 8 passed with no competing candidates.
Her current term, which began in March 2021, is set to end in August 2025.
Her re-election was confirmed in a terse statement via the X handle of the WTO on Friday, November 29.
The statement reads: “the General Council has appointed Director-General #NOIweala for a second term, effective 1 September 2025. More details to follow.”
The reappointment, made by consensus among the WTO’s 166 member countries, follows Okonjo-Iweala’s successful navigation of the selection process despite initial challenges.
Throughout her first term, she has played a pivotal role in advancing critical reforms within the organisation.
Source: X | wto