Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Seeks Second Term As WTO Director-General

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has officially announced her candidacy for a second four-year term, highlighting her commitment to addressing the “unfinished business” from her first tenure.

Okonjo-Iweala is now serving her first term as head of the WTO which is expected to conclude on August 31, 2025.

In an interview with Reuters and a subsequent WTO statement, Okonjo-Iweala expressed her desire to continue shaping the future of the organization. “I would like to be part of this chapter of the WTO story,” she said, confirming her readiness to compete for a second term.

Her priorities for the upcoming term include finalizing a deal to end harmful fisheries subsidies, progressing global agriculture negotiations, reforming the WTO’s stalled dispute settlement system, and promoting the decarbonization of global trade.

Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy comes on the heels of strong support from an Africa-led initiative, which encouraged her to declare her bid ahead of the official November deadline. This early move is seen as a strategic effort to secure re-election before the U.S. presidential election, potentially avoiding any political complications. Under WTO consensus rules, her re-election is feasible if no other candidates challenge her, and all 164 member states agree to her second term.

Significant strides were made during her first tenure, particularly the 2022 international agreement on reducing fishing subsidies. However, the WTO continues to face challenges, including unresolved geopolitical tensions and the deadlock in the dispute settlement system that has persisted since 2019.

Despite the difficulties, Okonjo-Iweala remains passionate about the role of the WTO in smoothening trade across borders. “It is tough, you know, very tough. There’s no getting away from that. But it’s also a job that makes me want to get out of bed in the morning,” she admitted.
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