Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has announced her intention to seek a second term at the helm of the global trade body. This decision comes as her first term, which began in March 2021, draws closer to its end in August 2025.
Okonjo-Iweala made history as the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO, a significant milestone in the organization’s history. Since taking office, she has overseen the WTO through a challenging period, with global trade being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain crises, rising inflation, geopolitical tensions such as the Russia-Ukraine war, and growing trade conflicts between major economies like the U.S. and China.
During her tenure, Okonjo-Iweala focused on revitalizing the WTO, pushing for reforms to make the institution more agile and relevant in a rapidly changing global trade environment. She has advocated for stronger multilateral trade cooperation, worked on resolving trade disputes, and led efforts to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies for developing nations through trade-related measures.
One of her key achievements as Director-General was facilitating the WTO's successful negotiations of several important agreements. Notably, she played a critical role in brokering a historic deal at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference in 2022, which resulted in agreements on topics like fisheries subsidies, trade and health, and agriculture. These deals were seen as significant steps forward in restoring faith in the multilateral trading system, which had been weakened by years of deadlock and protectionist policies.
JUST IN: Okonjo-Iweala To Seek Second Term As WTO Chief pic.twitter.com/EKj3p5DZ79
However, despite these successes, Okonjo-Iweala has faced criticism from some quarters, particularly from countries and stakeholders that feel the pace of WTO reforms has been too slow. The organization continues to grapple with the need to modernize its rulebook to address emerging challenges, such as digital trade, climate change, and e-commerce. Additionally, the dispute settlement mechanism, often referred to as the WTO's "crown jewel," remains paralyzed due to the U.S. blocking the appointment of judges to the Appellate Body.
By seeking a second term, Okonjo-Iweala aims to continue her work in reforming the WTO and building consensus among its 164 member states. Her candidacy is expected to receive support from many developing and developed countries alike, given her track record and global reputation as an experienced economist and diplomat. Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership has been marked by her ability to navigate complex international negotiations and her commitment to ensuring that the benefits of global trade are more equitably distributed, especially for poorer nations.
Her second term, if successful, would likely focus on addressing unfinished business in reforming the WTO’s operations, strengthening the organization’s role in resolving global trade disputes, and ensuring that trade policies can support global efforts on climate action, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth. Additionally, Okonjo-Iweala would be tasked with continuing to find ways for the WTO to address the evolving digital economy, including issues surrounding digital services, data flows, and the taxation of tech giants.
As she prepares to seek a second term, Okonjo-Iweala will need to rally support from WTO member countries and navigate the political dynamics within the organization, where decisions are made by consensus. The outcome of her candidacy could shape the future direction of the WTO and its role in the global trade landscape at a time when multilateralism is facing increasing challenges.
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