World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has announced her intention to seek a second four-year term.
In an interview with Reuters on Monday, Okonjo-Iweala expressed her desire to complete unfinished business from her first term.
Having taken office in March 2021 as the first female and African head of the 30-year-old trade body, Okonjo-Iweala’s current term is set to expire on August 31, 2025.
“I would like to be part of this chapter of the WTO story, and I stand ready to compete for the position,” she stated, referencing a letter she plans to send to the WTO’s main decision-making body.
She added that in her second term, she intends to focus on delivering, highlighting priorities such as finalizing a deal on ending fisheries subsidies, advancing global agriculture negotiations, reforming the WTO’s dispute resolution system, and promoting trade decarbonization.
While she officially has until the end of November to decide on her candidacy, an African-led initiative launched in July has already set the stage for an early start to the campaign.
This move is seen as an effort to secure her second term ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November.
Under WTO consensus rules, Okonjo-Iweala could be reappointed if no other candidates come forward and if all member states support her.
In 2020, her appointment was blocked by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously criticized the WTO.
However, she gained U.S. support after President Joe Biden took office in 2021.
When asked about the possibility of Donald Trump being re-elected and its impact on her role and the WTO’s future, Okonjo-Iweala responded, “I don’t focus on that because I have no control.”
