Okonjo-Iweala’s second term bid to be decided by WTO Council Nov 29

Following a meeting called by the General Council of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) later this month, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s desire for a second term bid as Director-General of the global trade institution rests on the final decision of council members after the special meeting to be held on November 28 and 29 in Geneva.

A statement by the WTO had confirmed Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former finance minister, as the sole candidate, enhancing her bid to serve a second term. Her current term will come to an end on August 31, 2025.

Earlier on October 8, WTO formally began the process for appointing its next Director-General, with members given until November 8 to submit nominations. No other candidate emerged for the position after the deadline and it is likely the incumbent would return as DG if she is re-appointed by the council.

Chair of WTO General Council, Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, informed WTO members yesterday that he will convene the special meeting of the General Council to advance the process to confirm the next DG.

In his communication to members, Ølberg said that, based on his contacts with delegations over the past days, and as has been done in past instances where the incumbent DG was the only candidate, he intends to convene a special formal meeting of the General Council to formally decide her fate. If any objections are raised at the meeting, another call for nominations would be made.

He said the first day of the General Council meeting would allow members hear a presentation from DG Okonjo-Iweala on her vision for the trade body, followed by a question-and-answer session while the second day would provide an opportunity for members to decide if they want to confirm her appointment or not.