The African group has announced the support of 58 member states out of the 164 state members of the World trade Organisation (WTO) for the re-election of the Incumbent Director General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to serve for a second term.
According to a statement by the world trade body, at a July 22 meeting of the WTO general council, 58 member countries had voiced support for the proposal from the African Group supporting the current DG’s second term.
“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 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 called on DG Okonjo-Iweala to make her intentions regarding a second term known as soon as possible. Most of these members praised the DG’s hard work and her achievements during her first term.” The statement said.
The Director General responded that she was very grateful for the support from the members. “Everything that I’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished together,” she said.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also said that she took the call of members very seriously and was favourably inclined. She said she would get back to members very soon regarding her intentions.
Okonjo-Iweala, 70, the seventh WTO Director General took office on March 1, 2021, for a single term of four years which will expire on August 31, 2025. She is however eligible for a second term.
Okonjo Iweala served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister from 2003 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2015. She navigated stiff opposition to become the first woman and the first African to serve as WTO Director-General. Before her current appointment, she also briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006, the first woman to hold such positions in Nigeria.
She is described as a global finance expert, an economist and international development professional with over 40 years of experience. Her 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, has risen her to the position of Managing Director, Operations from whence she rose to be the director General of the World trade organisation.
